A group called ''Fourth Years Ending Stupid Traditions'' blanketed the campus with blue pledge cards in advance of today's final home game of the season against the University of Buffalo, asking seniors not to attempt the Fourth-Year Fifth. At least 200 students signed on, and can redeem the cards for free nonalcoholic drinks at the game. Virginia has a party school reputation. It drew a crowd of 25,000 from across the country for a festival of booze, bands and mudslides. At Virginia, most customs are safe and innocuous.
Students dress up to take their dates to home football games.
The Fourth-Year Fifth stands out for its risk. According to a university survey of Virginia's 1999 graduating class, about 16 percent of the school's seniors said they had attempted the Fourth-Year Fifth. Consuming that much alcohol in a day can cause serious illness and even death, said Dr. James Turner, director of the university's student health center. He estimates there have been 18 alcohol-related deaths at Virginia since 1989. The student's mother insists her daughter was not taking part in the tradition.