Students resist drinking policy
Drinking in residence halls increases as offcampus penalties become harsher
Cassandra Church/Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/30/04 Section: News
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West Chester University is commonly referred to as a dry campus. However, many students continue to violate the university's code of con-duct, specifically, through the consumption of alcohol. West Chester has zero tolerance for drinking in the residence halls, whether the student is over or less than 21 years of age. A student at the university admits that she is under 21 and believes that it is easier to avoid getting cited off campus, opposed to on campus. Therefore, an increasing number of students attempt to drink in the residence halls with the perception that the chances of being cited have decreased. She adds that students fear even less being caught on campus drinking because they are under the impression that they will not receive a record, rather just a form of community service. Judd Strauss, a third year Resident Assistant (RA), asserts that he has caught individuals "drinking illegally" in the halls However, Strauss states that in most cases, "The individuals were cooperative."
He expressed that in most cases he has caught individuals on his daily rounds, and loud noises and smells would give off a hint of suspicion. When he would go to the doors they would be unlocked, and with permission to enter he would then find groups of students drinking alcohol.
He added that surprisingly "they would fess up, and realize that they have violated a student code of conduct." Despite this realization, there are concrete rules that are designed to be enforced with situations such as these.
Kevin Hansbury, a resident director, suggests that the judicial system on campus may appear to be less punitive, "because it is designed to be more educational," and the university would rather see the students' growth. While this number of student maturity is hoped to increase, the number of citations for underage drinking remains at a steady increase.
A student further adds that most students attempt drinking on campus more readily, because they are "positive that they will not get a record, or citations." On the other hand, statistics show that students continue to blind themselves to the possibility of being caught.
He expressed that in most cases he has caught individuals on his daily rounds, and loud noises and smells would give off a hint of suspicion. When he would go to the doors they would be unlocked, and with permission to enter he would then find groups of students drinking alcohol.
He added that surprisingly "they would fess up, and realize that they have violated a student code of conduct." Despite this realization, there are concrete rules that are designed to be enforced with situations such as these.
Kevin Hansbury, a resident director, suggests that the judicial system on campus may appear to be less punitive, "because it is designed to be more educational," and the university would rather see the students' growth. While this number of student maturity is hoped to increase, the number of citations for underage drinking remains at a steady increase.
A student further adds that most students attempt drinking on campus more readily, because they are "positive that they will not get a record, or citations." On the other hand, statistics show that students continue to blind themselves to the possibility of being caught.