A recent survey of 500 AU students conducted by Public Safety revealed that the amount of alcohol and marijuana use on campus trumps the national average by just under 10 percent (Go Eagles!). According to the survey, 80 percent of AU students have hit the bottle at least once, and 27 percent have experimented with pot. Though these figures are not unusual for private universities in urban areas with similar tuitions, the University has nevertheless decided to form a "task force" in an effort to bring AU's alcohol and drug use down to or below the national average. Though reduced drug abuse is unarguably a good thing, The Eagle wonders if this task force is acting in the best interests of students, parents or the University's image.
For instance, AU's current alcohol and drug policy is now being "reinterpretted" to require parental notification for a student's first illegal drug violation; further violations could result in suspension, expulsion, or eviction from the residence halls. Given that many students make and learn from their mistakes, The Eagle prefers the old "three strikes" policy that wrist-slapped first-offense drug users with a JAMS session and community service before alerting their parents. That procedure seemed more fair and forgiving than an unpleasant phone call to mom or dad the first time a student is caught with pot.
Of course, "reinterpretting" judicial policies isn't the only thing the task force is doing. The University also plans to create more nighttime events in The Tavern, increase the amount of alcohol and drug awareness programs, and form a student-run Alcoholics Anonymous group. Positive rather than punitive -- now that's what The Eagle likes to see!
Sure, some students think a weekend without alcohol is like a day without sunshine, but fun, substance-free events on campus could offer a nice alternative to Passport or pass the bong. After all, if nothing goes on at AU during the weekends, the Univeristy has no one blame but itself for rising alcohol use.
Overall, The Eagle feels that AU's new alcohol and drug policy is a good thing. Though we're not exactly a school of alcoholics and pot heads, we do have a higher average of students who drink and smoke -- and AU is doing something proactive to address this. In the end, AU will look more attractive in the eyes of prospective students, and we all will be living on a more comfortable campus. Cheers to that!
