2008 Woodie Awards
How is BG Undead good for students? Let's count the ways
By: GUEST COLUMNIST
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Forum
There have been a lot of misconceptions concerning BG Undead, and we wish to clear the air about those incorrect ideas by underlining the rules of the game.
There are four big rules of BG Undead:
1. Playing in buildings, vehicles and the Oak Grove Cemetery is strictly prohibited.
2. There is to be no involving of "non-players," "non-players" being defined as any not registered with the BG Undead Administration.
3. The BG Undead bandanas must be clearly displayed by all players during the course of the game.
4. Be safe, be smart and be respectful.
Every player is required to follow these rules. Any rule-breaking is dealt with on an individual level by the BG Undead Administration, with the ultimate penalty being banishment from the game.
"Humans vs. Zombies" was invented in 2005 and is now played in more than 20 universities nationwide as well as three different countries. The University, however, has one of the most organized branches of the game.
BG Undead is a registered student organization and has had Nerf out to campus as well as been in contact with the original creators of the game.
BG Undead promotes long-lasting friendships, teamwork and critical thinking above all else.
One of the major arguments against the organization has been that it promotes violence, causing non-playing students to fear for a school shooting at the University.
It has been proven, however, in a 2007 study ordered by President Bush, that isolation is a key factor in creating the sort of troubled student that initiates a school shooting.
The "Report to the President on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy," released last June by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, states "the perpetrators had been isolated socially from their peers and had been the recipients of bullying and teasing from other students."
BG Undead encourages teamwork and friendship. Justin Playl, an avid player of the game, says "When I came into the University as a freshman, I really didn't know anybody. All of the friends I have now, I met through BG Undead, and I still am close to those friends now."
Landon King, also a freshman, agrees, saying, "BG Undead introduced me to a lot of people with similar interests that have become lasting friends since then."
Those who have argued that the game is immature have failed to consider the amount of stress involved on a college campus. To play this in-depth game of tag gives the players a short period of time where they don't have to worry about papers, projects, exams or anything else.
This isn't meant to say that classes are ignored; the players are paying just as much money to be here as everybody else and by no means do they drop schoolwork to play the game.
To play Humans vs. Zombies is only a slightly more creative and in-depth way of going outside and getting fresh air, which under no circumstances should be prevented or argued against.
BG Undead also helps promote communication skills, leadership and strategy. Communication with others on your team is key to "survival."
Often, Humans accompany other Humans to class, or Zombies gather other Zombies to hunt. Therefore, players are definitely encouraged to collaborate with each other, promoting good communication skills and often leadership skills. So, one could argue that BG Undead is nearly educational.
BG Undead works closely with the University administration and the Bowling Green Police Division to ensure that the rules are followed and that no action can be misconstrued as dangerous.
The Nerf and other off-brand plastic guns used are required to be brightly colored. Under no circumstances are these allowed to be painted any sort of realistic colors, such as black or gray.
They're also toys that say on the box that they're intended for children, no different from a hula hoop, a Frisbee or Legos.
The point of Humans vs. Zombies is to have fun, relieve stress and make friends. As eloquently stated by King, "People ask how old we are. Some answer 18, 19, 20… we just say 'six and up.'"
- Laurie Mickens is a freshman majoring in theatre and Asian studies, and Maggie Doremus is a sophomore majoring in special education.
There are four big rules of BG Undead:
1. Playing in buildings, vehicles and the Oak Grove Cemetery is strictly prohibited.
2. There is to be no involving of "non-players," "non-players" being defined as any not registered with the BG Undead Administration.
3. The BG Undead bandanas must be clearly displayed by all players during the course of the game.
4. Be safe, be smart and be respectful.
Every player is required to follow these rules. Any rule-breaking is dealt with on an individual level by the BG Undead Administration, with the ultimate penalty being banishment from the game.
"Humans vs. Zombies" was invented in 2005 and is now played in more than 20 universities nationwide as well as three different countries. The University, however, has one of the most organized branches of the game.
BG Undead is a registered student organization and has had Nerf out to campus as well as been in contact with the original creators of the game.
BG Undead promotes long-lasting friendships, teamwork and critical thinking above all else.
One of the major arguments against the organization has been that it promotes violence, causing non-playing students to fear for a school shooting at the University.
It has been proven, however, in a 2007 study ordered by President Bush, that isolation is a key factor in creating the sort of troubled student that initiates a school shooting.
The "Report to the President on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy," released last June by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, states "the perpetrators had been isolated socially from their peers and had been the recipients of bullying and teasing from other students."
BG Undead encourages teamwork and friendship. Justin Playl, an avid player of the game, says "When I came into the University as a freshman, I really didn't know anybody. All of the friends I have now, I met through BG Undead, and I still am close to those friends now."
Landon King, also a freshman, agrees, saying, "BG Undead introduced me to a lot of people with similar interests that have become lasting friends since then."
Those who have argued that the game is immature have failed to consider the amount of stress involved on a college campus. To play this in-depth game of tag gives the players a short period of time where they don't have to worry about papers, projects, exams or anything else.
This isn't meant to say that classes are ignored; the players are paying just as much money to be here as everybody else and by no means do they drop schoolwork to play the game.
To play Humans vs. Zombies is only a slightly more creative and in-depth way of going outside and getting fresh air, which under no circumstances should be prevented or argued against.
BG Undead also helps promote communication skills, leadership and strategy. Communication with others on your team is key to "survival."
Often, Humans accompany other Humans to class, or Zombies gather other Zombies to hunt. Therefore, players are definitely encouraged to collaborate with each other, promoting good communication skills and often leadership skills. So, one could argue that BG Undead is nearly educational.
BG Undead works closely with the University administration and the Bowling Green Police Division to ensure that the rules are followed and that no action can be misconstrued as dangerous.
The Nerf and other off-brand plastic guns used are required to be brightly colored. Under no circumstances are these allowed to be painted any sort of realistic colors, such as black or gray.
They're also toys that say on the box that they're intended for children, no different from a hula hoop, a Frisbee or Legos.
The point of Humans vs. Zombies is to have fun, relieve stress and make friends. As eloquently stated by King, "People ask how old we are. Some answer 18, 19, 20… we just say 'six and up.'"
- Laurie Mickens is a freshman majoring in theatre and Asian studies, and Maggie Doremus is a sophomore majoring in special education.
Be the first to comment on this story