For almost a year, the CUPS program has promoted designated driving in the Iowa State and Ames Communities.

The program, which officially started last spring, encourages bartenders in local Ames establishments to furnish any designated driver with free unlimited soda.

Brian Dunn, director of programming at the Student Wellness Center, said the program isn’t well known or well publicized yet.

“We found that many bars already provided free soda to designated drivers, and as a result, many students didn’t know about the program, so we wanted to get the word out,” he said.

Since then, the Wellness Center has put flyers up to promote the program.

Dunn also said many bars in Ames are participating in the program. Dunn said the Wellness Center found it was cheaper to drink alcohol at bars, than it was soda, since many college students don’t have a lot of money to spend.

“Many bars run specials on drinks rather than soda, so it sort of discourages designated driving,” he said.

Linda Verrips, assistant manager at the Maintenance Shop in the Memorial Union, said she felt participation in the CUPS program is not as high as she’d like.

However, there isn’t a lot of excessive drinking in the M-Shop, she said.

“We have cups available and we let our bartenders know that we are participating in the program,” she said.

Verrips said the main goal of the CUPS program is to promote responsibility.

“[Designated driving is] the responsible thing to do and the way we serve our alcohol is responsibly,” Verrips said.

About 14 bars in the Ames area participate in CUPS. The bars front the cost of paying for the unlimited soda.

Dulcie Zirnhelt, treasurer at the Student Wellness Center and senior in community health education, said the program provides another option for designated drivers.

“We want them to feel that they can still go to the bars and have fun with their friends,” she said.

People’s Bar and Grill, Sips, Mickey’s Irish Pub, The Maintenance Shop, Whisky River, Welch Avenue Station, Big Shots, Patty’s, Sportsman Lounge, and Tip Top Lounge all participate in the program.