Spring Break
Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: Opinion
In response to the Oct. 28 article titled "Partying too hard?," I want to clarify the quote "that the problem is the freshman class." My faculty, staff and administrative colleagues, and student leaders are all concerned about the increase this fall in the underage drinking and hospitalizations of first-year students.
However, I do not believe that all first-years are drinking or making poor decisions or that the freshman class is a problem. The overwhelming majority of freshmen are outstanding students who chose SMU because they want to make positive contributions both inside and outside of the classroom.
My student affairs colleagues and I, along with several student leaders, recently visited first-year residence halls to talk about our disappointment in how many students in their class have alcohol violations. We asked for their help in reducing underage drinking and substance abuse.
The negative consequences are too dangerous to ignore: hospitalizations, students engaging in high-risk behaviors and students being victimized because they are too drunk to exercise sound judgment. Legal consequences for damage to university property and future repercussions for graduate school and employment also affect students.
Many first-years have expressed frustrations with the behaviors of some of their heavy-partying classmates. During our meetings, they shared great suggestions for reducing underage drinking at SMU. Their number one request was for more on-campus activities. This need is being met, in part, through the Evening Program and Initiatives Contributions (EPIC) program. EPIC provides funding for late-night events sponsored by student organizations. Several groups, including the Inter-Fraternity Council, are planning more evening events.
We all know substance abuse and underage drinking is a national problem. Through the President's Commission and the implementation of the recommendations of the President's Task Force and strong student leadership, we hope SMU can become a national model for reducing substance abuse on college campuses.
- Dr. Lori S. White
Vice President for Student Affairs
However, I do not believe that all first-years are drinking or making poor decisions or that the freshman class is a problem. The overwhelming majority of freshmen are outstanding students who chose SMU because they want to make positive contributions both inside and outside of the classroom.
My student affairs colleagues and I, along with several student leaders, recently visited first-year residence halls to talk about our disappointment in how many students in their class have alcohol violations. We asked for their help in reducing underage drinking and substance abuse.
The negative consequences are too dangerous to ignore: hospitalizations, students engaging in high-risk behaviors and students being victimized because they are too drunk to exercise sound judgment. Legal consequences for damage to university property and future repercussions for graduate school and employment also affect students.
Many first-years have expressed frustrations with the behaviors of some of their heavy-partying classmates. During our meetings, they shared great suggestions for reducing underage drinking at SMU. Their number one request was for more on-campus activities. This need is being met, in part, through the Evening Program and Initiatives Contributions (EPIC) program. EPIC provides funding for late-night events sponsored by student organizations. Several groups, including the Inter-Fraternity Council, are planning more evening events.
We all know substance abuse and underage drinking is a national problem. Through the President's Commission and the implementation of the recommendations of the President's Task Force and strong student leadership, we hope SMU can become a national model for reducing substance abuse on college campuses.
- Dr. Lori S. White
Vice President for Student Affairs
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concerned alum
posted 11/02/09 @ 10:50 PM CST
I commend the administration for their efforts to reduce substance abuse both on and off campus. Hopefully there will be some meaningful results to report in the near term which will help SMU serve as a template for other universities. (Continued…)
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