Did you know that by excessively consuming alcohol it’s possible that I, man among men, could eventually grow boobs? Yeah, I didn’t either, nor do I really want it on my mind. But this was just one thing I learned during my adventures in the Wellness and Prevention’s alcohol classes.
As some students may know, Fairfield’s counseling services and office of Wellness and Prevention have altered their program concerning alcohol awareness. In the past, students who were found in violation of the school’s alcohol and drug policies were forced to set up meetings with coordinator Jeanne DiMuzio and discuss their drinking habits. Now, rather than individual meetings, students, depending on the severity of their infractions, are to enroll in Alcohol 101 and/or 202 classes. The classes are meant to better educate students concerning the dangers of drinking and the affects it can have on their bodies.
“Both men and women have caution flags that need to be recognized during the 19-24 years,” said DiMuzio. “Men’s bodies are still under construction during this time and women need to understand the close relationship between hormones and alcohol consumption.”
The alcohol-Fairfield student relationship appears to be a rather popular topic recently, as articles have appeared in both the New York Times and Connecticut Post in the last few months specifically regarding the drinking habits of Fairfield students.
While many students feel that their actions simply match those of other college students around the nations when it comes to drinking, DiMuzio feels Fairfields students should take advantage of the opportunity to be more than merely a “reflection” of the current generation of college students.
“Fairfield students have many opportunities to be the exception rather than the rule,” she said. “We are a Jesuit community based in philosophies of men and women for others…a foundation laid for you to maximize the college opportunities of academic, personal and career success.”
Maybe in some ways Fairfield students do actually recognize such opportunities. According to DiMuzio, 94 percent of the students surveyed in the classes indicated that their drinking habits had changed since their violation. While this is obviously a startling number, some students find it hard to believe.
“I though the class definitely informed me,” said Matt Ginn ’08. “But I can’t say that it has affected or changed my habits.”
After personally taking both classes, I would have to agree that I don’t see how the actual classes could alter ones drinking habits so severely. While I can safely say that my drinking habits have changed since my violation, it was mostly because of things like internships, jobs and maybe some homework that led to the change.
While I feel the classes are valuable in that they provide students with information concerning the harmful effects of drinking, I think it’s naïve to think that the average Fairfield student is going to avoid hanging out with his/her friends on the weekends because of the experience and knowledge they attained through Alcohol 101.
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