by Meg Mahoney
The good, the bad and the party. New and revised policies in the departments of residence life and judicial affairs could spell disaster for some and give others a break at the townhouses.
The university is cracking down on underage drinking at the townhouses. Now, any underclassmen found consuming alcohol or in the presence of underage consumption at a townhouse party will be entered in the judicial system.
In particular, new portable card readers will used to check the stagcards of all students at a party in order to verify who is of-age and who is underage.
“Now that we have portable card readers, we will be able to capture student information from all who are present at parties that are being documented for violations,” said Frank Koerting, director of residence life. “Students will be held accountable for the same policies as in the residence halls.”
Previously, if a townhouse was documented for violation of the university’s codes of conduct, such as serving alcohol minors or other offenses, only the hosts were sent to judicial. This year, anyone found in violation of any university policies at a townhouse party will also be written up.
“The goal was to have the same policies applied consistently across campus,” said Koerting. “We feel it is important the student who has violated community standards, including consuming alcohol as a minor, be held accountable.” The points system, with which many students who have committed offenses are familiar, is no longer. The system, utilized by the office of judicial affairs, has been revised to focus on the educational process, also known as the alcohol and drug classes.
Kim Nicholenko, director of judicial affairs, said, “Points have been removed as a sanction but the education piece has not changed. In fact, the educational offerings of Alcohol 101, 202 and a new educational class Drugs 101, have been reworked…to get the educational message out to students bout drugs and alcohol.”
In addition, outlined in the student handbook, on page 55 are the standard sanctions for alcohol -related infractions. This year, the usual three columns stating the sanctions for three offenses have been reduced to only two.
“Points were removed and the third column was removed because after the third time, the Dean of Students will be examining the best course of action for that student and the community”, said Nicholenko. “This could mean suspension for the student. Each student and case will be handled individually.”
For those students who already have a record in the judiciary office and commit another offense this year, judicial will, “be looking at the number and type of violations that a student has, not necessarily the amount of points they have,” said Nicholenko.
Not all of the changes are bad news for students. Many of the policy changes, suggested at meetings last spring with the townhouse/apartment managers, current townhouse residents and future townhouse residents, have the potential to make life more enjoyable for townhouse residents.
Of-age students can now drink on back porches of townhouses as of this year. As long as the number of students on the porch does not exceed six and all students who are drinking are of-age.
Back porches are now an acceptable space during a registered party. This space was added a few years ago after the basements were limited to only six people but few townhouses have taken advantage of this, according to Koerting.
In addition, the party registration process has been streamlined. The forms will soon be available online for houses to complete, print and drop off at the residence life office and wristbands will be given out for free.
Student reactions have been varied with the underclassmen being considerably more upset than their older counterparts.
“It’s a little over the top. It’s college and they should expect people to drink occasionally,” said Jake Remillard ’08. “Chasing people with card readers and using technology to track us seems a little Orwellian to me.”
Mike Ambrosio ’08, agreed with Remillard. “It’s unfair. I want to be able to enjoy myself without fear of serious repercussions.”
Townhouse resident Nate Edwards ’06, while appreciate of his reduction in sole liability as host, sympathizes with the plight of the sophomores and freshmen. “It wasn’t too long ago when I was an underclassman, so I understand where they are coming from. I think it’s a little ridiculous.”
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