The Fourth Wall

In recent years, nearly half, 48 percent, of all alcohol consumed by students attending 4-year colleges has been consumed by underage students

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Drinking on campus is a popular pastime for Mont Alto students, of age and underage alike. Though quite common, consider the following: How much do you know when it comes to your rights concerning alcohol consumption and being under the influence of alcohol while on campus?

First off, let us cover the basics. If you’re a minor (meaning under 21 years of age) it is illegal for you to drink anywhere in this country. If you live in Quincy Township, the township where Mont Alto is located, it is illegal for anyone to consume alcohol, as this is a dry township. On top of that, the campus of Penn State Mont Alto is a dry campus, meaning university policy, and controlled mainly by policy AD18, prohibits the consumption of alcohol. Clearly, the consumption of alcohol is not allowed on campus.

This, however, has not stopped anyone. In interviewing numerous people in Mont Alto, everyone said that they either knew someone who drank regularly or drank regularly themselves. So we see that alcohol is quite a popular beverage.

At the same time, students were asked whether they agreed with the campus’ alcohol policies. Most students did not agree and were resentful, although most of the students were underage anyway. In talking with Andrea Christopher, the Director of Student Affairs, and Kim Rushing, Assistant Director of Student Affairs, we can see why students are resentful. As compared to previous years, they state that policies are being enforced to a greater degree. This has been a source of major headaches to some students.

Alcohol consumption would, of course, not be a problem for students if they did not get caught. It is apparent, however, that students are managing to get caught, one way or another. The number of students involved in alcohol related incidents last semester was approximately 69, with approximately a total of 25-30 incidents occurring. Common reasons students get caught are acting drunk or smelling like alcohol. There are of course, other reasons, including having a party in one’s room and attracting undue attention. We must now turn to what happens when you actually get caught in an alcohol related incident.

There are several distinct ways to become involved in an alcohol related incident. First, we will cover the policies as they apply to minors, then those of age. One way to become involved is to get caught consuming the alcohol itself. This would qualify one for a sit down with Community Standards and Judicial Affairs, both of which are represented by Kim Rushing. Typically, you would undergo contract review for your housing contract, your parents will be contacted, and you will be referred to the Alcohol Intervention Program, or AIP.

The first time, you will be assigned AIP I. According to the AIP Program informational pamphlet, “[t]his program involves meeting with a campus counselor … [,] takes about an hour to complete and the total cost, including counseling, is $50.” This $50 cost is actually less than it costs the campus to bring in the counselor, according to Mrs. Christopher.

The next time, you will be assigned AIP II. Basically the same as AIP I, but it requires 2-3 sessions with the counselor, which would cost between $100 and $150.

The third time, you will be referred to AIP III. This “involves participation in a Franklin County Drug and Alcohol Workshop as well as treatment at a local drug and alcohol treatment facility, both arranged through a campus counselor and at the student’s expense,” according to the same AIP informational pamphlet.

These AIP sessions are mandatory if they are assigned. They are not the only means of dealing with offenses, as each case is treated individually. Factors such as the amount of alcohol found and the students’ intentions play a role. For relatively minor infractions, students may be assigned a research paper which is to concern the effects of alcohol and why consuming alcohol is therefore a bad choice. The consequences can be fairly severe for incidents involving more alcohol or repeat offenses, and one consequence not mentioned, though one that has been used, is revocation of your housing contract, forcing you to move out.

What happens if you merely possess alcohol? As was noted before, each incident is considered individually. The most extreme measure, dismissal from the university, has been used to deal with offenders possessing large amounts of alcohol, although only in conjunction with individuals who were repeat offenders (Source withheld). Possessing alcohol will have you referred to Judicial Affairs, just as will consumption.

Just being around individuals consuming alcohol, though not consuming it yourself, may land you in trouble. Depending on your reasons for being at the location where alcohol was being consumed, if you were a past offender, or any mitigating circumstances, your punishment will vary, if there is any at all. However, students have gotten in trouble just for associating with those consuming alcohol (Source withheld).

For persons of age, many of the same consequences apply. You will have a sit down with Community Standards and Judicial Affairs, and have your contract reviewed as well. Your parents will also be sent a letter even though you are of age, and this has happened (Source withheld). This has caused many who feel as though they should be able to consume alcohol, and the law feels that way as well. According to Mrs. Christopher, however, a special allowance for adult learners was made in the past to allow them to possess and consume alcohol on campus, but this led to several problems. However, many older students feel as though they should at least be allowed to drink on campus.

We have seen that, and as members of the Penn State Mont Alto community, know that, drinking goes on campus. We also know that the punishment for drinking can be quite harsh. We conclude from this that the campus’ policies concerning drinking have been ineffective at doing anything to combat this perceived problem. Certainly, the current focus on making alcohol seem bad or evil, or even pointing out the consequences of drinking in educational programs, which the campus does use, is a noble effort. If students aren’t responding however, something must be wrong.

Truthfully, binge drinking is a serious problem on college campuses. Maybe this should be the focus of current alcohol policies, rather than seeking out and punishing offenders, we should be attacking the overconsumption of alcohol instead. Campus administration needs to face the truth that drinking is prevalent not only on this but on every college campus in America.

Alcohol serves a social function in the college world, and the campus here cannot replace that with other campus sponsored activities. What the campus should focus on is combating binge drinking and not all drinking, seeking to educate all students that they should drink responsibly, not that they shouldn’t be drinking at all. Mont Alto is certainly a place of alcohol consumption, and no campus policy could ever eliminate that. Campus policy should instead focus on mitigating the effects of alcohol consumption rather than on mitigating the consumption of alcohol.