Changing the Way Students Drink on Campus

by Kayla Lynch Views: 4

Everyone knows Western is a party school. Honestly, how many of you out there reading this have the “Western Carolina University – out-drinking your school since… uh… we can’t remember…” quote in your AIM profile? Well, this year is going to be a little different for you party-people in the dorms. No more slaps on the wrists or petty disciplinary actions. No, kids, from now on it’s the real deal – you screw up and you pay the consequences, quite literally. First offense alcohol fines used to be $50 and second offense fines were $100, but now depending on what kind of an uh-oh you get caught doing, the first offense fines are $100-$175. And if that’s not just devastating (to your bank account) enough as it is, if the offense is alcohol and/or drug related your parents will be notified. Now, with each offense, you will be required to have an educational program/assignment. Also, first offenses require a minimum of 2 months to one year of probation, depending on the severity of the offense. Is Western finally realizing that letting students (especially repeat offenders) slide by with a warning, inconsequential disciplinary action, or a verbal spanking isn’t going to help them get by in the world? The big problem about partying (and the use of drugs/alcohol) in the dorms is that a lot of people get really loud and sometimes, as we might notice in the halls in the morning, destructive. Not calling people on their poor decision doesn’t help them learn to make better decisions, but learning that there are major consequences to these decisions will. Hopefully the new standards of conduct for students (along with the hefty fines) will deter students from drinking in the dorms as we’ve become accustomed to them doing.According to the (new and improved) Student Code of Conduct: Article IV.B.9b – use, possession, or distribution of alcohol:1st offense – 4 months probation, educational program/assignment, $100 EOA, parental notification2nd offense – eight months probation, educational program/assignment, $175 EOA, parental notification, 10 hrs community serviceArticle IV.B.9b.i – Public intoxication/disruptive behavior:1st offense – 4 months probation, educational program/assignment, $100 EOA, parental notification2nd offense – eight months probation or suspension from residence hall for a period up to 8 months, educational program/assignment, $175 EOA, parental notification, minimum 10 community service hoursArticle IV.B.9b.ii or iii – DWI/DUI or violent acts when drinking:1st offense – eight months probation, educational program/assignment, $175 EOA, parental notification, 10 community service hours2nd offense – suspension or expulsion from residence hall/parental notificationArticle IV.B.9b.iv – Serving to someone underage: 1st offense – 4 months educational program/assignment, $100 EOA, parental notification2nd offense – 8 month probation or suspension from residence hall for period up to 8 months, educational program/assignment, parental notification, $175 EOA, minimum 10 community service hoursArticle IV.B.9d or 10e – Facilitation:1st offense – 2 months probation, educational program/assignment, parental notification2nd offense – 4 months probation, educational program/assignment, parental notification, $100 EOAArticle IV.B.10b – Keg, party ball, other common source container:1st offense – suspension from residence hall up to 4 months, parental notification2nd offense – expulsion from residence hall, parental notificationArticle IV.B.10c – Rapid consumption behaviors/games/devices:1st offense – 8 months probation, educational program/assignment, $175 EOA, parental notification, 10 community service hours2nd offense – suspension or expulsion from residence hall, parental notificationArticle IV.B.10d – Paraphenelia :1st offense – $50 EOA, 3 months probation, educational program/assignment, parental notification2nd offense – 4 months probation, $100 EOA, educational program/assignment, parental notificationArticle IV.B.9a – Use/possess – Schedule I-II – Controlled Substances (including but not limited to heroin, mescaline, LSD, opium, cocaine, amphetamine, methaqualone, etc):1st offense – university expulsion, parental notificationArticle IV.B.9a – Use/possess – Schedule III-VI – controlled substances (including, but not limited to marijuana, codeine, steroids, phenobarbital)1st offense – 8 months probation, educational program/assignment, $200 EOA, parental notification, 15 community service hours, regular drug testing and counseling2nd offense – university expulsion or suspension, parental notificationArticle IV.B.9a.i – Use/possess drug paraphernalia:1st offense – 6 months probation, educational program/assignment, $100 EOA2nd offense – 12 months probation, educational program/assignment, $175 EOA, 15 community service hours, parental notification3rd offense – possible university expulsion/suspension