2008 Woodie Awards
Decreased drinking violations on campus
Surprising trends show alcohol misconduct rates much lower than years past
Melanie Maxwell and Amber Lister
Issue date: 10/3/06 Section: Feature
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Most students would be surprised to hear that the average number of drinking violations among both upper classmen and lower classmen on campus are lower this year than recent years, but the facts don't lie. According to Associate Director of Community Life Jim Sciuto, "The numbers this year are way down with only about 20 first offense violations several weeks into the school year." A first offense violation includes charges like minor in possession of alcohol, public possession of alcohol and alcohol being used as a decoration.
As noted in the Crime Statistics Report from 2005 that can be found on the Saint Mary's website (click on Clery Act-Campus Security Act), a total of 288 violations of Saint Mary's College policy related to alcohol were referred to Student Conduct for disciplinary action last year, 46 of which violated California state law, and 242 of which violated college policy. That is a decrease from 314 violations of the same sort in 2004. Chief of Public Safety Bill Foley is impressed by the low numbers this year and stated, "We're tending to see less open consumption of alcohol on campus. There haven't been as many red cups and empty beer bottles lying around."
However, numbers still aren't perfect. Several students have already been transported to local hospitals like Kaiser and John Muir Hospital due to alcohol poisoning. At least two driving under the influence (DUI) tickets have been issued on campus this semester, and one was issued over the summer. Even so, Sciuto is "Pleased with where we are. There's always going to be violations, at least we are seeing a decrease."
Foley ventures that the culture in the United States has contributed to the decrease in DUIs and similar infringements. He thinks designated drivers are more common at parties. "There is more awareness" about the negative effects of alcohol, said Foley.
The Department of Public Safety has worked closely with chiefs of the Moraga, Orinda and Lafayette Police Departments the past few years to try and decrease drinking problems on campus and in the community. The chiefs of the three cities and Foley meet once a month to discuss the involvement of Saint Mary's students in off campus crimes. Foley reports there has been no escalation in DUIs issued to students on and off-campus so far this year. Programs put into place by Public Safety and the Health and Wellness Center such as members of the security team personally speaking to students have most likely contributed to the impressive numbers. Beer goggles are used as a tool about 12 times per academic year to assist students in realizing the great extent to which alcohol impairs judgment.
As noted in the Crime Statistics Report from 2005 that can be found on the Saint Mary's website (click on Clery Act-Campus Security Act), a total of 288 violations of Saint Mary's College policy related to alcohol were referred to Student Conduct for disciplinary action last year, 46 of which violated California state law, and 242 of which violated college policy. That is a decrease from 314 violations of the same sort in 2004. Chief of Public Safety Bill Foley is impressed by the low numbers this year and stated, "We're tending to see less open consumption of alcohol on campus. There haven't been as many red cups and empty beer bottles lying around."
However, numbers still aren't perfect. Several students have already been transported to local hospitals like Kaiser and John Muir Hospital due to alcohol poisoning. At least two driving under the influence (DUI) tickets have been issued on campus this semester, and one was issued over the summer. Even so, Sciuto is "Pleased with where we are. There's always going to be violations, at least we are seeing a decrease."
Foley ventures that the culture in the United States has contributed to the decrease in DUIs and similar infringements. He thinks designated drivers are more common at parties. "There is more awareness" about the negative effects of alcohol, said Foley.
The Department of Public Safety has worked closely with chiefs of the Moraga, Orinda and Lafayette Police Departments the past few years to try and decrease drinking problems on campus and in the community. The chiefs of the three cities and Foley meet once a month to discuss the involvement of Saint Mary's students in off campus crimes. Foley reports there has been no escalation in DUIs issued to students on and off-campus so far this year. Programs put into place by Public Safety and the Health and Wellness Center such as members of the security team personally speaking to students have most likely contributed to the impressive numbers. Beer goggles are used as a tool about 12 times per academic year to assist students in realizing the great extent to which alcohol impairs judgment.