The University of Massachusetts at Amherst—like many larger universities—has a Borg problem.
But not the Star Trek kind.
28 ambulances were dispatched to off-campus parties over the weekend, according to University of Mass Amherst. The school is attributing the calls to a TikTok drinking trend.
School officials claim on Saturday, officials observed kids carrying what they identified as "Borgs," or "blackout rage gallons," which are gallon water jugs filled with a combination of alcohol, electrolytes and flavoring.
Recent viral videos on TikTok of college students creating and consuming the mixture have fanned the recent popularity—though some videos referencing the drink date back to 2020. The popular beverage has given rise to Borg challenges and Borg skits.
One of the customs is to name your personal Borg gallon jug.
The following video shows UMass Amherst students talking about their Borgs at the annual St. Patrick's Day "Blarney Blowout" that precipitated the 28 ambulances.
People were really into the Borg names and hyping each other up in the comments.
@aidanm918/TikTok
@ajhopperr/TikTok
@jrose_1303/TikTok
@tybilanski2/TikTok
Then there was commenting on the sheer level of drinking going on.
@shigx_stl/TikTok
Some people alluded to the aftermath and downsides of this type of drinking event.
@colestew26/TikTok
@allie0171/TikTok
@clumsymedic483/TikTok
Others—including the creator—talked about how this was both not an official UMass account, but also a very Massachusetts public university type of video, if you get their drift.
@kettlebellkel/TIkTok
@j.chiotasso/TikTok
Here's hoping the electrolytes in those Borgs were at all useful, or best wishes on those students' heads and stomachs.