New winter quarter alcohol stats similar

By Megan O'Connor

Following record numbers of alcohol write-ups during the fall and a change in disciplinary policy, alcohol incidents this quarter have dropped to a similar level compared to last year, but administrators aren't ready to declare success for at least another quarter.

"Bottom line, it is way too early to make any judgment. We are going to need a full two quarters to understand the impact," said Mathew Duncan, associate dean for student life.

Five students have been transported to the hospital so far for alcohol poisoning, compared to four during the same period last year. By Feb. 5 last winter, there were 155 alcohol citations. As of Feb. 4 this year there have been 118.

"On the surface level these statistics look great," said Jeanne Rosenberger, vice provost for student life.

A stricter alcohol policy was enacted at the start of the quarter, applying to both on and off-campus drinking. University President Paul Locatelli, S.J., announced the new policy after the numbers of alcohol citations and students requiring medical assistance due to alcohol increased during the fall quarter.

"This is sort of like a campus wake-up call," Rosenberger said.

During fall quarter, 34 students received medical attention due to alcohol consumption, 17 of which required transport. In addition, there were 499 alcohol allegations.

The Office of Student Life would not normally make a mid-year change in policy, but felt compelled to after the significant increase in high-risk drinking, transports, violence and vandalism during fall quarter, said Rosenberger.

The new policy separates underage student drinkers into high- and low-risk violators. First-time "low-risk" offenses result in a $50 fine, while first-time "high-risk" violations include an educational sanction and parental notification for any student under 21.

It also calls for on-campus students to face disciplinary probation or housing cancellation after a third "high-risk" violation.

As a result, if students don't get the message to change their drinking behaviors, the consequences will happen more rapidly, Rosenberger said.

The freshman class is unique, according to Rosenberger. "This freshman class has much more experience with alcohol prior to coming to us," said Rosenberger. "They are already coming to us with some more refined drinking habits."

The increased size of the freshman class is not cited as the cause for the rise in alcohol-related issues, agreed Rosenberger and Duncan.

Not all students have been contributing to alcohol-related problems this year. A newly registered club at Santa Clara, "Clean and Sober SCU," has formed in an effort to have fun without alcohol. However, administrators still face a long battle ahead.

Rosenberger said the best part of the new policy is the conversation about the topic. "There is no way we are going to eliminate all high-risk drinking or underage drinking," Rosenberger said. "It is a nationwide problem."

Contact Megan O'Connor at (408) 554-4546 or moconnor@scu.edu.