NUI Galway's Student Union will host a series of "alcohol free" events during this year's rag week at the college in an effort to encourage students to avoid the demon drink.
Mr Shane Cosgrove, press officer for NUI Galway Students' Union (SU), said that the focus was on returning to the origins of rag week at college campuses.
A small number of troublemakers had given a bad name to NUI Galway's rag week in recent years, but the vast majority of students did their best to raise much-needed funds for worthy causes.
Earlier this week, the college president, Dr Iognaid Ó Muircheartaigh, took on the SU president, Mr Tony McDonnell, in a presidential scooter race.
"Very physical" was how Mr Cosgrove described the event, which involved a "lot of pushing and shoving" and which ended up in a "draw".
In a separate event, student Edel Barry scooted from the college grounds to Barna and back again in aid of the Concern Nepal Challenge 2004.
A bouncing castle and a useless information table quiz are also planned, but the rag week is not totally dry. Any "drink-related" events are generally being held in the college bar, Mr Cosgrove said. "We know that several businesses in town will try and woo students in, and that's something we have no control over."
Ms Aine Kelly, NUI Galway SU vice-president and welfare officer, said that students were being advised to drink in moderation, to take care of themselves and each other, and to designate a friend to "mind the group" where possible.
The union hopes to raise more than €10,000 for charity when the week is out.
