Benjamin Engle
On Monday, November 10th, the Union College community will be able to voice their concerns regarding campus safety. Student Forum has invited high-level members of the Campus Safety Department, including Director William Sickinger, Assistant Director Christopher Hayen, and day-shift supervisor, Sergeant Ed Teller for a discussion on the safety problems students are facing on campus.
“The forum president [Jillian Bannister] asked that I meet with the forum to answer their questions about campus safety operations,” Sickinger said. “I expect to clarify any security issues and concerns pertaining to our operations.”
Students are encouraged to attend the student forum meeting or talk to their class representatives to share their thoughts and feelings regarding their safety on campus.
The discussion regarding campus safety comes after numerous incidents on campus during the majority of the fall term involving Union students and Schenectady residents. In their attempt to make students feel more secure on campus, Campus Safety has been talking to Sororities, in addition to student forum, to discuss how to be safer on campus.
Nicole Silverman, Membership Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta and campus safety representative for Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Delta Delta, and Sigma Delta Tau, has been an advocate for increased action on behalf of the Campus Safety Department to make Union safer, “Campus safety came to talk to the sorority houses about using better judgment and that we should just be cautious when we are leaving buildings.”
Hayen, however, believes that students need to be more proactive when it comes to safety on campus, “The challenge for us is to get the students to “buy in” to the programs. We are making progress in getting the message across to the campus community that crime prevention is everyone’s concern.”
Originally published in Union's Concordy on November 6, 2008.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Union Faces Economic Challenges
Benjamin Engle
While Union College lies 166 miles north of the New York Stock Exchange, the problems affecting the global markets have reached Union’s administration. The economic crisis currently affecting the United States and countries around the world has pushed Union to take a closer at the financial status of its students and of the institution overall.
Like most major corporations and businesses, Colleges across the United States have been forced to monitor their assets and budgets. Some schools, in order to save money, have instituted spending freezes to ensure that they do not exceed their already tight budgets and tuition freezes to ensure that students can continue to afford their education.
In response to the recent troubles and uncertainty of the economy, President Stephen C. Ainlay shared his views on the situation through an e-mail sent to faculty and staff members indicating how the economy is affecting Union.
“Union College is by no means isolated from the effects of the economic downturn,” Ainlay wrote. “All of us are personally affected and it would be irresponsible of us if we didn’t anticipate the potential affects on our institutional operations.”
Through his letter, Ainlay explained that Union’s Financial and Administration staff will monitor the affects of the endowment and the Board of Trustees Executive Committee is analyzing the College’s weak financial points.
As the Concordiensis went to press, the Finance and Administration staff failed to return multiple requests for interviews, however, President Ainlay made it clear in his letter that Union’s finances are strong.
“Our endowment has performed better than most [and] we did not have any investments in the Common Fund (which has caused problems for other institutions),” Ainlay stated.
In addition to the College’s financial outlook, Union’s Financial Aid office is actively going though “what if” scenarios to ensure that it can properly provide financial assistance to eligible students.
“Both the Finance and Financial Aid Offices are assessing the current economic situation and how that may impact our students. We are prepared to continue to help students and families in the event they are feeling the effects of the downturn in the economy. Despite the recent increase in unemployment, we have not experienced a corresponding increase in additional aid requests from families thus far” said Linda Parker, the Director of Financial Aid.
Parker believes that while the increasing percentage of those unemployed will affect Union families, the Financial Aid Department hasn’t seen an increase in the number of families requesting additional financial aid.
“We will continue to make Union an affordable place for students to learn,” Parker said.
However, even if the college’s endowment decreases or budget cuts occur, Parker is confident that Union will not reduce the amount of financial aid offered to eligible students.
“We will continue to meet the demonstrated financial need of our students, but in light of the expected increase in unemployment combined with losses that families have sustained in the stock market, going forward we realize it may not be business as usual, and we are actively preparing for those possible scenarios,” added Parker.
Currently, over half of the students at Union receive financial assistance. The average Union scholarship, according to the Financial Aid office, is approximately $20,800 and is determined through various applications. With the economic problems affecting the entire nation and forefront in the news, Parker expects an increase in financial aid applications next year. Applications for financial aid for new students are due February 1st while returning students must apply by April 15th.
With the economy not getting better anytime soon, Union is investigating how to deal with the financial crunch in the future, nonetheless, President Ainlay is anticipating financial problems.
“At the institutional level, there is no doubt that we will face some financial challenges, Ainlay wrote. “Union remains strong…We will continue to move ahead and make a difference.”
Originally published in Union's Concordy on October 30, 2008.
While Union College lies 166 miles north of the New York Stock Exchange, the problems affecting the global markets have reached Union’s administration. The economic crisis currently affecting the United States and countries around the world has pushed Union to take a closer at the financial status of its students and of the institution overall.
Like most major corporations and businesses, Colleges across the United States have been forced to monitor their assets and budgets. Some schools, in order to save money, have instituted spending freezes to ensure that they do not exceed their already tight budgets and tuition freezes to ensure that students can continue to afford their education.
In response to the recent troubles and uncertainty of the economy, President Stephen C. Ainlay shared his views on the situation through an e-mail sent to faculty and staff members indicating how the economy is affecting Union.
“Union College is by no means isolated from the effects of the economic downturn,” Ainlay wrote. “All of us are personally affected and it would be irresponsible of us if we didn’t anticipate the potential affects on our institutional operations.”
Through his letter, Ainlay explained that Union’s Financial and Administration staff will monitor the affects of the endowment and the Board of Trustees Executive Committee is analyzing the College’s weak financial points.
As the Concordiensis went to press, the Finance and Administration staff failed to return multiple requests for interviews, however, President Ainlay made it clear in his letter that Union’s finances are strong.
“Our endowment has performed better than most [and] we did not have any investments in the Common Fund (which has caused problems for other institutions),” Ainlay stated.
In addition to the College’s financial outlook, Union’s Financial Aid office is actively going though “what if” scenarios to ensure that it can properly provide financial assistance to eligible students.
“Both the Finance and Financial Aid Offices are assessing the current economic situation and how that may impact our students. We are prepared to continue to help students and families in the event they are feeling the effects of the downturn in the economy. Despite the recent increase in unemployment, we have not experienced a corresponding increase in additional aid requests from families thus far” said Linda Parker, the Director of Financial Aid.
Parker believes that while the increasing percentage of those unemployed will affect Union families, the Financial Aid Department hasn’t seen an increase in the number of families requesting additional financial aid.
“We will continue to make Union an affordable place for students to learn,” Parker said.
However, even if the college’s endowment decreases or budget cuts occur, Parker is confident that Union will not reduce the amount of financial aid offered to eligible students.
“We will continue to meet the demonstrated financial need of our students, but in light of the expected increase in unemployment combined with losses that families have sustained in the stock market, going forward we realize it may not be business as usual, and we are actively preparing for those possible scenarios,” added Parker.
Currently, over half of the students at Union receive financial assistance. The average Union scholarship, according to the Financial Aid office, is approximately $20,800 and is determined through various applications. With the economic problems affecting the entire nation and forefront in the news, Parker expects an increase in financial aid applications next year. Applications for financial aid for new students are due February 1st while returning students must apply by April 15th.
With the economy not getting better anytime soon, Union is investigating how to deal with the financial crunch in the future, nonetheless, President Ainlay is anticipating financial problems.
“At the institutional level, there is no doubt that we will face some financial challenges, Ainlay wrote. “Union remains strong…We will continue to move ahead and make a difference.”
Originally published in Union's Concordy on October 30, 2008.
Students’ Safety Concerns Continue to Escalate
Benjamin Engle
Union College students are increasingly looking over their shoulders as they travel on and around campus in the dark because of recent crimes and safety breaches that have occurred.
Since the mugging of a female member of the class of 2009 on September 20th and the attacking of a male student on Nott Street ten days later, students have been more concerned about their safety while out at night. These concerns, however, are not limited to the weekend; an increasing number of students are afraid to walk alone when leaving the library in the early-morning hours after a member of Gamma Phi Beta was approached on her way from Schaffer Library to the Beuth parking lot by an unknown man.
As a result of the recent crimes involving Schenectady residents and Union students, members of Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Delta Delta, and Sigma Delta Tau have decided to take action against, what it seems, the increasing level of crime in the Union campus vicinity. After hearing fears from fellow sisters about the crime around campus, Nicole Silverman, the Membership Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta, decided to represent the three sororities on “Greek Row,” an area behind the hockey rink that is home to approximately 200 female students.
In the search for answers and solutions, Silverman wrote a position paper with various proposals for a safer campus and presented them to the administration and campus safety.
“We ask that our concerns and fears be taken into serious consideration and that something be done as soon as possible,” Silverman stated.
Within her proposal, Silverman argues that campus safety officers are inefficiently used and that suggests that they are not deterrents of crime.
“Campus safety shouldn’t be more concerned over the freshmen dorms,” Silverman said. “They need to be monitoring the areas where crime happens the most, especially Greek rows and Lennox Avenue. Campus safety officers need to be better trained and should be armed.”
While Silverman believes that campus safety could make students safer on campus, Christopher M. Hayen, the Assistant Director of the Union Campus Public Safety Department, understands student concerns, but thinks campus safety is efficient, “Improvements can always be made, but I believe campus safety does a very good job of keeping the campus safe. The officers are pro-active as much as possible in identifying threats to the campus and taking the appropriate action.”
Contradictory to Silverman, Hayen doesn’t think all officers should be armed because of how the department is currently structured.
Silverman, in addition to better-trained safety officers, is pushing a plan to increase the number of campus safety booths all around campus. According to Silverman’s estimates, one safety booth costs $26,000. She believes that reducing each Minerva House budget by $10,000 could fund the initiative, however, her funding plan may be hurt since Minervas are funded through a specific charge to students on their tuition bill.
“There needs to be constant surveillance of the areas where crime occurs the most, however, video cameras and blue lights don’t deter crime since they can not physically protect us,” Silverman said.
While Hayen believes that the addition of safety booths is not a bad suggestion, he doesn’t see it as the best use of resources,” I feel the man power can better be used by actively patrolling the campus than being at a stationary post.”
Silverman believes that if safety booths are not feasible, then Union should have a closed campus with officers at each gate.
“I understand that a closed campus sends the wrong message to the community,” Silverman states, “but the community already believes that they can come on campus and attack students without any consequence.”
Many of the crimes taking place on campus, however, according to Hayen, wouldn’t be deterred by a closed campus, “[A closed campus] would help in accounting for who is on campus and denying access to those who have no legitimate reason for being here, however, the majority of crime on campus is committed by students or their guests so I don’t think we would see a significant drop in the numbers.”
As for safety around the campus vicinity, Hayen says that campus safety does not have the authority to police city streets as it is within the jurisdiction of the Schenectady Police Department.
While Union campus safety can’t patrol Schenectady streets, Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett and the Schenectady Police Department are aware of safety concerns.
“The city police officers regularly patrol the area that surrounds the campus and like all areas of the city, the patrol coverage is dedicated to specific area posts,” Commissioner Bennett said. “On occasion we have increased patrol coverage consistent with current activity levels and intelligence which is updated daily by our crime analysis staff. We have almost real time data which is computerized thereby indicating to us the locations and time of day that we need to devote additional police patrol resources to address current trends.”
In addition surveillance, Commissioner Bennett, President Ainlay, and the mayor of Schenectady, Brian Stratton, have participated in discussions regarding additional financial resources to augment the city’s current camera project. Bennett’s goal is to implement additional live-monitored cameras in and around the campus to provide coverage for the entire campus. Currently there are three installed on city streets surrounding the campus.
With approximately nine registered sex offenders living within a block of the Union campus, according to the National Sex Offender Registry, Silverman doesn’t believe that cameras are going to physically protect Union students, only better trained officers can do that.
“Students should be able to have the luxury of studying at the library and not have to be worried about their life as they leave it’s doors,” Silverman added.
While Silverman understands that students can call the campus escort service, she believes the operation is pointless since escorts are more often than not fellow students and they don’t specialize in how to protect people.
Silverman is uncertain if the administration and campus safety will adopt her safety proposals though she wonders what it will take for the college to improve campus safety, “Why should anyone feel unsafe at college? Schenectady residents know students are around to be robbed.”
Barrett believes that the relationship between Union College Students and the local residents is generally positive, however, “I urge all students to take common sense precautions when it comes to their own personal safety and I most especially encourage them to keep the well being of their fellow students in mind at all times.”
Silverman, nonetheless, is not convinced that she or her fellow students are safe, “Students and outsiders should come to our campus and feel safe. Every member of Union College should know that when they walk on campus, they do not have to question whether or not they may be the next victims of crime, though when the sun sets, crime is likely to occur at Union.”
Originally published in Union's Concordy on October 23, 2008.
Union College students are increasingly looking over their shoulders as they travel on and around campus in the dark because of recent crimes and safety breaches that have occurred.
Since the mugging of a female member of the class of 2009 on September 20th and the attacking of a male student on Nott Street ten days later, students have been more concerned about their safety while out at night. These concerns, however, are not limited to the weekend; an increasing number of students are afraid to walk alone when leaving the library in the early-morning hours after a member of Gamma Phi Beta was approached on her way from Schaffer Library to the Beuth parking lot by an unknown man.
As a result of the recent crimes involving Schenectady residents and Union students, members of Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Delta Delta, and Sigma Delta Tau have decided to take action against, what it seems, the increasing level of crime in the Union campus vicinity. After hearing fears from fellow sisters about the crime around campus, Nicole Silverman, the Membership Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta, decided to represent the three sororities on “Greek Row,” an area behind the hockey rink that is home to approximately 200 female students.
In the search for answers and solutions, Silverman wrote a position paper with various proposals for a safer campus and presented them to the administration and campus safety.
“We ask that our concerns and fears be taken into serious consideration and that something be done as soon as possible,” Silverman stated.
Within her proposal, Silverman argues that campus safety officers are inefficiently used and that suggests that they are not deterrents of crime.
“Campus safety shouldn’t be more concerned over the freshmen dorms,” Silverman said. “They need to be monitoring the areas where crime happens the most, especially Greek rows and Lennox Avenue. Campus safety officers need to be better trained and should be armed.”
While Silverman believes that campus safety could make students safer on campus, Christopher M. Hayen, the Assistant Director of the Union Campus Public Safety Department, understands student concerns, but thinks campus safety is efficient, “Improvements can always be made, but I believe campus safety does a very good job of keeping the campus safe. The officers are pro-active as much as possible in identifying threats to the campus and taking the appropriate action.”
Contradictory to Silverman, Hayen doesn’t think all officers should be armed because of how the department is currently structured.
Silverman, in addition to better-trained safety officers, is pushing a plan to increase the number of campus safety booths all around campus. According to Silverman’s estimates, one safety booth costs $26,000. She believes that reducing each Minerva House budget by $10,000 could fund the initiative, however, her funding plan may be hurt since Minervas are funded through a specific charge to students on their tuition bill.
“There needs to be constant surveillance of the areas where crime occurs the most, however, video cameras and blue lights don’t deter crime since they can not physically protect us,” Silverman said.
While Hayen believes that the addition of safety booths is not a bad suggestion, he doesn’t see it as the best use of resources,” I feel the man power can better be used by actively patrolling the campus than being at a stationary post.”
Silverman believes that if safety booths are not feasible, then Union should have a closed campus with officers at each gate.
“I understand that a closed campus sends the wrong message to the community,” Silverman states, “but the community already believes that they can come on campus and attack students without any consequence.”
Many of the crimes taking place on campus, however, according to Hayen, wouldn’t be deterred by a closed campus, “[A closed campus] would help in accounting for who is on campus and denying access to those who have no legitimate reason for being here, however, the majority of crime on campus is committed by students or their guests so I don’t think we would see a significant drop in the numbers.”
As for safety around the campus vicinity, Hayen says that campus safety does not have the authority to police city streets as it is within the jurisdiction of the Schenectady Police Department.
While Union campus safety can’t patrol Schenectady streets, Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett and the Schenectady Police Department are aware of safety concerns.
“The city police officers regularly patrol the area that surrounds the campus and like all areas of the city, the patrol coverage is dedicated to specific area posts,” Commissioner Bennett said. “On occasion we have increased patrol coverage consistent with current activity levels and intelligence which is updated daily by our crime analysis staff. We have almost real time data which is computerized thereby indicating to us the locations and time of day that we need to devote additional police patrol resources to address current trends.”
In addition surveillance, Commissioner Bennett, President Ainlay, and the mayor of Schenectady, Brian Stratton, have participated in discussions regarding additional financial resources to augment the city’s current camera project. Bennett’s goal is to implement additional live-monitored cameras in and around the campus to provide coverage for the entire campus. Currently there are three installed on city streets surrounding the campus.
With approximately nine registered sex offenders living within a block of the Union campus, according to the National Sex Offender Registry, Silverman doesn’t believe that cameras are going to physically protect Union students, only better trained officers can do that.
“Students should be able to have the luxury of studying at the library and not have to be worried about their life as they leave it’s doors,” Silverman added.
While Silverman understands that students can call the campus escort service, she believes the operation is pointless since escorts are more often than not fellow students and they don’t specialize in how to protect people.
Silverman is uncertain if the administration and campus safety will adopt her safety proposals though she wonders what it will take for the college to improve campus safety, “Why should anyone feel unsafe at college? Schenectady residents know students are around to be robbed.”
Barrett believes that the relationship between Union College Students and the local residents is generally positive, however, “I urge all students to take common sense precautions when it comes to their own personal safety and I most especially encourage them to keep the well being of their fellow students in mind at all times.”
Silverman, nonetheless, is not convinced that she or her fellow students are safe, “Students and outsiders should come to our campus and feel safe. Every member of Union College should know that when they walk on campus, they do not have to question whether or not they may be the next victims of crime, though when the sun sets, crime is likely to occur at Union.”
Originally published in Union's Concordy on October 23, 2008.
Future of Chet’s in Question
Benjamin Engle
The kegs at Union College’s unique campus bar, Chet’s, have been empty since last spring as the establishment continues to face legal issues.
Chet’s, located in the Rathskellar on Wednesday nights, was an extremely popular hangout among students 21 and older. While it is owned by the college and has Dining Service oversight, Chet’s operates like a club. Union students are the driving force behind the bar’s weekly operation and success. Students who work there are required to go through an interview process and must pass TIPS, a bartending class.
While popular with students, according to Malcolm Dennison, vice-president of Chet’s, the bar struggles to break even, “Licenses and insurance are pricey and the beer sold does not always cover all the expenses.”
Besides the cost of the bar’s operations, liability issues continue to keep Chet’s closed. “The company that Chet’s buys it’s beer through does not want to be held legally liable for what happens at Chet’s when there are students behind the bar instead of their own employees,” Dennison said. “At the same time, Union's insurance will not cover the bar either.”
Students involved with Chet’s have been in contact with Union’s food service provider, Sodexo, the college administration, and Union lawyers since last spring in order to have the bar operational by the third or fourth week of the fall term, however, without the appropriate licensing and insurance documents, Chet’s has been unable to operate.
Chet’s President Jared Iacolucci believes that while work still needs to be done regarding the liability of the bar, the future of Chet’s looks bright, “I am optimistic that the two sides will come to an agreement and we will open this year.”
Dennison believes, however, that without support from the administration to convince Union’s lawyers to draw up new and insurance plans, Chet’s will not be able to operate again. Currently, Chet’s doesn’t have the proper beer licenses necessary in order for it to serve alcohol on campus.
With on-campus bars becoming rarer in recent years, Chet’s supporters believe that having the bar open is necessary not only for tradition, but for the safety of students.
"Lots of students go out to bars on Wednesday nights,” Iacolucci said, “and Chet's is a fun and safe alternative to the bars off campus.”
With the recent regularity of off-campus crimes, Dennison believes that Chet’s is the safest place to be for students who want to go to a bar on Wednesday nights, “It seems strange that with so many crimes happening at the bars right off-campus that the school isn't happier with kids staying on campus and drinking in a safe environment.”
According to Dennison, Chet’s has never had any serious issues with Campus Safety, Schenectady police, student health, or “anything else that would normally jeopardize the survival of a licensed organization.”
“We've never had to send kids to the hospital, we've never had a fight, and we've never had a robbery anywhere near the bar,” Dennison added, “The disappointment of alumni as well as current seniors is one the main reasons I feel so strongly about revitalizing Chet's and making it what it once was.”
Originally published in Union's Concordy on October 16, 2008.
The kegs at Union College’s unique campus bar, Chet’s, have been empty since last spring as the establishment continues to face legal issues.
Chet’s, located in the Rathskellar on Wednesday nights, was an extremely popular hangout among students 21 and older. While it is owned by the college and has Dining Service oversight, Chet’s operates like a club. Union students are the driving force behind the bar’s weekly operation and success. Students who work there are required to go through an interview process and must pass TIPS, a bartending class.
While popular with students, according to Malcolm Dennison, vice-president of Chet’s, the bar struggles to break even, “Licenses and insurance are pricey and the beer sold does not always cover all the expenses.”
Besides the cost of the bar’s operations, liability issues continue to keep Chet’s closed. “The company that Chet’s buys it’s beer through does not want to be held legally liable for what happens at Chet’s when there are students behind the bar instead of their own employees,” Dennison said. “At the same time, Union's insurance will not cover the bar either.”
Students involved with Chet’s have been in contact with Union’s food service provider, Sodexo, the college administration, and Union lawyers since last spring in order to have the bar operational by the third or fourth week of the fall term, however, without the appropriate licensing and insurance documents, Chet’s has been unable to operate.
Chet’s President Jared Iacolucci believes that while work still needs to be done regarding the liability of the bar, the future of Chet’s looks bright, “I am optimistic that the two sides will come to an agreement and we will open this year.”
Dennison believes, however, that without support from the administration to convince Union’s lawyers to draw up new and insurance plans, Chet’s will not be able to operate again. Currently, Chet’s doesn’t have the proper beer licenses necessary in order for it to serve alcohol on campus.
With on-campus bars becoming rarer in recent years, Chet’s supporters believe that having the bar open is necessary not only for tradition, but for the safety of students.
"Lots of students go out to bars on Wednesday nights,” Iacolucci said, “and Chet's is a fun and safe alternative to the bars off campus.”
With the recent regularity of off-campus crimes, Dennison believes that Chet’s is the safest place to be for students who want to go to a bar on Wednesday nights, “It seems strange that with so many crimes happening at the bars right off-campus that the school isn't happier with kids staying on campus and drinking in a safe environment.”
According to Dennison, Chet’s has never had any serious issues with Campus Safety, Schenectady police, student health, or “anything else that would normally jeopardize the survival of a licensed organization.”
“We've never had to send kids to the hospital, we've never had a fight, and we've never had a robbery anywhere near the bar,” Dennison added, “The disappointment of alumni as well as current seniors is one the main reasons I feel so strongly about revitalizing Chet's and making it what it once was.”
Originally published in Union's Concordy on October 16, 2008.
College Administrators Debate Drinking Age
Benjamin Engle
130 college and university presidents, including those of Colgate, Hamilton, Dartmouth, Duke, and Tufts, have come together to sign a petition to open up a national debate to rethink the drinking age and possibly change it from 21 to 18.
In July of 2008, John McCardell, President Emeritus of Middlebury College, established the Amethyst Initiative after consulting with numerous college and university presidents and hearing that the current drinking age is routinely ignored on their campuses.
The group believes that since it is illegal for most students to drink on campus, a “culture of dangerous, clandestine ‘binge-drinking’…has developed.” The petition also states that the current drinking age is hypocritical since adults under 21 are permitted to vote, sign contracts, enlist in the military, but are not allowed to consume alcohol.
The law that the group wants changed is the National Minimum Drinking Age Act. Passed by Congress in 1984, the law imposed a penalty of 10% of a state’s federal highway money for any state that had a drinking age below 21. With millions of dollars at stake, all states obliged and increased their drinking age.
While 130 presidents have signed the Amethyst Initiative petition, President Ainlay has not.
“I disagree with this cynical view of the petition and its signers,” President Ainlay said, “I know many of them and know they are genuinely concerned with excessive abuse of alcohol on their campuses and they believe there is a need for more discussion about what needs to be done to address it.”
Even though he hasn’t signed the petition, President Ainlay, has been following the debate closely, “This is an issue of concern for me as President at Union. In fact, I was asked to address a national conference in Boston as part of a presidential panel. As I told the audience, I believe that there needs to be a national discourse on the problem of substance abuse and its consequences.”
While Dean Steve Leavitt disagrees with the premises of the initiative, he believes that the current drinking age puts the college in an awkward position, “We must follow the law, but we know students drink on campus illegally. If the drinking age was 18, it would make my life easier.”
His main concern, however, is binge drinking. “Binge drinking is bigger than the drinking age,” Dean Leavitt said. “Drinking fast in a room wouldn’t go away if students could legally drink.”
According to Leavitt, in a large-scale college survey done every spring regarding binge drinking, Union is ranked worse than other schools. He believes that while the culture varies from region to region, it makes sense that Union is ranked poorly, “The combination of being in the Northeast region of the United States, having a campus dominated by Greek life, and having a competitive sports program makes it not surprising that Union is higher than average in terms of alcohol.”
The Interfraternity Council, which is made up of nine fraternities at Union, is in favor of the Amethyst Initiative. “We base this position on the belief that from an educational standpoint, an 18 year old should have the opportunity to discuss drinking issues openly without fear of any repercussions,” said Brandon Botto, President of the Interfraternity Council.
Botto added, “Within the current college community, the 21 age limit has not hindered drinking dramatically enough to outweigh the apparent benefits of an 18 year old drinking age. In all, developmental aspects of student life would greatly benefit from this discussion.”
Despite the call for a lower drinking age, many believe it wont change the culture of drinking, “People would still binge to get to a place that makes them happy,” said Director of Residential Life Molly MacElroy. “Nothing would change at the frats because students know that they can’t get enough alcohol there to get drunk.”
Campus Safety, which deals with alcohol-related incidents often on campus, has invested in additional staff to address problem drinking and is collecting data to provide answers to the issue. Director of Safety and Security William Sickinger, who opposes lowering the drinking age to 18, agrees with the Amethyst Initiative’s call for discussion on how to deal with the problem of irresponsible drinking by young people.
Sickinger believes that the point system is effective since it helps the college focus on drinking issues, “The point system at Union is a step that at least gets a student thinking about the issue of possible consequences of inappropriate behavior.”
While disciplining students and giving out points is an unpleasant part of her job, it is a learning experience for students, “College is a place to learn how to manage alcohol,” MacElroy said. “Our goal is to help students if they choose to use alcohol.”
While President Ainlay has not signed the Amethyst Initiative’s petition, he is currently asking for recommendations and thoughts from the administration, “Our campuses need to discuss it, colleges and universities and their host cities need to discuss it, and there needs to be more discussion on a variety of strategies at national meetings of educators.”
Originally published in Union's Concordy on October 9, 2008.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
