In 2006, there were 756 alcohol-related write-ups at Fairfield University. In 2007, 900. After a record high in 2008, we’re down to 1076 in the 2009 academic year.
Fairfield isn’t alone. A 2005 article in the New York Times said that since the 1990’s, alcohol arrests on campuses have increased by startling percentages.
It’s no doubt that students drink illegally at Fairfield. Despite the hundreds of citations, the average dorm, townhouse or apartment on campus has beer, vodka, or some kind of alcohol (maybe even wine for the classiest of students) in the fridge.
But the Times article suggests that increase in write-ups such as Fairfield’s might not be due to an increase in consumption of alcohol. “As in past years,” says the article, “college law enforcement officials and administrators have attributed the rise to aggressive enforcement policies rather than to more use of drugs and alcohol.”
The Jeanne Cleary Crime Report for Fairfield University cites that in the academic year 2009, an astonishing 95 percent of the disciplinary referrals on campus were alcohol related. A Dean of Students, Kim Nikolenko, confirms this. “A majority of the students we see have documentations related to alcohol.”
That is to say it’s hardly that more students are drinking. It’s just that more are getting caught.
In terms of measuring up to other universities, Fairfield trumps similar schools in quantity of write-ups. Compared to our 1076 documentations in 2009, Providence College in Rhode Island accumulated a mere 651.
Interestingly, in the same year, Fairfield was rated 3rd in The Princeton Review’s “Lots of Hard Liquor” category- only behind Providence, who was in first place.
Providence ranks two spots in front of Fairfield in the alcohol abuse department, but they get written only half as much as Stags. It’s no wonder that some students feel like Public Safety is out to get them.
Todd Pelazza, Director of Public Safety, disputes claims that his office is trying to run up the number of documentations on campus.
“We are certainly not out to get students,” attests Pelazza. “However, part of keeping our campus safe involves enforcing university policies. I would challenge the concept that DPS is out to get students in trouble or is not looking out for the students’ best interests.”
He adds, “Generally, we have a very good relationship with students. We involve many students in projects and committees. Despite the good intentions of the authorities on campus, the relationship between students and the disciplinary community of Fairfield seems to suffer as Stags continue to drink heavily on campus- and get caught.
“Depending on the R.A., officer, administrator, or whoever, I feel that they are looking out for our best interest, but more often it’s more about writing us up than actually looking out for our safety,” Says Brianna Malone ’13.
Nikolenko explained some of the options for lowering the count. “Echug is an online alcohol education, Choices and Basics are offered by Kevin Curry through Counseling and Psychological Services. They all give students an opportunity to explore in different ways their relationship to alcohol and other substances.
“They are not just about the negative effects of drinking. They all look at how to make responsible decisions and choices related to alcohol and other substances.”
Nikolenko, doesn’t mention, however, that most of the these programs- if not all- are accompanied by a fine. One Junior, Brennan Swan, has paid $180.00 in fines to Fairfield. Another paid $375.00. Worse, one sophomore, who wished to remain unnamed, reports paying over $500.00 in write up fees.
In addition to the fines, many students feel as though the programs are hardly as useful as the administration hopes that they might be.
“I think that the Fairfield drinking classes are very helpful for the reason that they provide you with a lot of information,” says Shannon Welch ’12, “But I do not think that they will stop or prevent future drinking problems. It’s college – that is just what happens.”
One sophomore went further by saying “I don’t feel they are affective at all, I’ve just gotten much better at beating the system”.
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