The Office of the Dean of Students has launched a new campaign this year against students misusing and abusing alcohol called “Be S.M.A.R.T. About It.” The acronym S.M.A.R.T. stands for “Students Managing Alcohol Responsibly Together.”
This new program aims to prevent alcohol related accidents on campus.
“We’re trying to be very proactive this year and encourage the students to make healthy choices around alcohol,” Dean of Students Karen Donoghue ‘03 said.
Fairfield’s administration is acknowledging the use of alcohol by underage students, and in return they are trying to promote smart choices and responsible behavior regarding its use.
According to Donoghue, the campaign, which targets freshmen and sophomores, explains that “50 percent of first year students don’t drink” and that “70 percent of our students report to be light or moderate drinkers.”
“These are the good drinkers,” Donoghue said. “If you’re going to choose to drink, be a light or moderate drinker.”
Associate Director of Public Safety Frank Ficko said that there is a concern that students won’t report other students because they think they “will be okay after they sleep it off, which is very dangerous.” He said that students can potentially die from vomiting and asphyxiation in their sleep.
“September, or the beginning of the semester, is when there are the highest number of alcohol related incidents,” Ficko said, adding that alcohol can be a contributing factor to motor vehicle accidents, serious injuries and even death.
Assistant Director of Public Safety John Richie said that this September, during the first week of school, there were seven medical transports for alcohol overdoses. This is comparable to September of 2012, when there were six alcohol related medical transports during the first week of school.
Twenty-five medical transports from alcohol overdoses occurred in September of 2012, four alone happening at FUSA’s Fall Concert that featured electronic dance music artists Krewella and Diplo. Because of these accidents, Richie said he is not excited for the upcoming fall concert.
According to Richie, the majority of medical transports from alcohol overdoses involve freshmen.
Ficko said that with these kinds of accidents, “one student is too many.”
Donoghue added, “Any incident that involves a student going to the hospital is troublesome.”
The Be S.M.A.R.T About It campaign is being advertised and promoted through posters, flyers and items such as water bottles, which are to be distributed to students. As part of the program, a Be S.M.A.R.T. About It tent will give out free pizza and water at the fall concert, Presidential Ball, Halloween, and other nights that tend to involve students drinking alcohol, said Donoghue.
“What helps people not go to the hospital? Pizza,” Donoghue said.
According to Matt Borda ‘17, “going to the hospital is never good.”
Freshman Claire Holleran said, “I think it’s a great idea because it’s realistic and helpful.”
The Office of the Dean of Students, in cooperation with the rest of Fairfield, is trying to normalize the culture of sober fun while acknowledging its use and promoting responsible behavior around alcohol.
Public Safety and the Office of the Dean of Students both wish to advocate the medical amnesty policy at Fairfield, which assures that when a student calls Public Safety or a Resident Assistant on behalf of another student, there will be no formal disciplinary action.
Donoghue stressed that “the fear of a student getting in trouble should never get in the way of getting someone help.” She assured that “we will not give them that ‘X’ on their folder.”
RA Michael LeBoeuf ‘15 says that it is refreshing to know that Fairfield acknowledges the drinking on campus, and thinks this is a “very positive step” for Fairfield.
Donoghue summed up the campaign by saying that “we’re not naïve here.”
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