By Tyler Royer//Alcohol-related violations at Hood College have nearly doubled over the last year as security and faculty are cracking down on underage drinking, according to campus security officials.
In the latest annual security and fire safety report shows an increase in judicial referrals of liquor law violations from 49 in 2014 to 75 in 2015. In 2013 there were 66 violations reported. According to Thurmond Maynard, director and chief of security at Hood College, says the numbers are down for the fall 2016 semester, saying, “There has not been many, maybe around 10 or 15 violations so far this semester.”
Matt Troutman, director of residence life and student conduct, said the numbers in the report can be misleading because they depend on the size of the student body, which varies from year to year. He said percentages of the student body would be a more accurate documentation.
“Residence assistants now know how to properly address and document alcohol issues,” Troutman said, who joined Hood College’s faculty in the summer of 2015. Troutman later added that in the past only students directly in violation of policies have been referred and documented, and the process since Troutman’s arrival is now much more thorough.
Olivia White, vice president of student life and dean of students, stated that the college has many programs in place so all students are aware of the responsibilities of alcohol, including alcohol awareness week to and online courses. “It helps students understand the choices that they make,” she said.
“T[he online courses] really gives them all the information on alcohol for them to make their own decisions,” Troutman added.
According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 60 percent of college students have reported drinking within the past month. Students can experience academic consequences from excessive drinking, ranging from missing class, poor class performance and overall lower grades.
In addition to academic recourse, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to several health problems such as alcohol poisoning, liver and other organ damage, and risks of motor vehicle accidents while under the influence, according to the NIH.
“I’d pick the sophomore class if I had to pick a class,” Troutman said, in regards to whom is most prone to violating the college’s alcohol policy, while Maynard said it was more of mixture of classes.
The number of violations is expected to decrease in the future due to a decline in the number apartments being leased through the college, from 36 to 11. Many alcohol violations occur at the apartments and not dorms, according to Troutman.
White included that they choose more responsible students to lease apartments, most of whom are juniors and seniors and therefor are of drinking age.
According to Maynard, along with tips and reports of student misconduct, violations have also occurred during scheduled routine health, maintenance, and safety inspections of residential buildings. There are four inspections this fall semester.
According to Hood College’s student handbook, sanctions for violations include monetary fines, educational assignments, community service and suspension from housing in certain cases.
Hood College states on their policies page that substance abuse is a primary concern and is committed to creating an academic environment free of illegal drugs and alcohol abuse.