The Eagle has recently learned that students at Georgetown University who require a hospital transport for alcohol poisoning do not receive administrative punishment. AU's policy is far less lax - students have to call home on the first substance-abuse offense (including alcohol) and may also have to write papers or go to Judicial and Mediation Services (JAMS). However, The Eagle feels there are significant reasons for this disparity.
While Georgetown has its own student-run ambulance service and its own hospital, AU has a health center that is only open during regular business hours Monday-Friday. Georgetown is not a dry campus, but AU is and has had many drug problems in the not-too-distant past. Our policy can be a problem because students are less likely to call for help when they know a parent will be notified. Life is more important than legal or parental repercussions, but AU's strict policies are somewhat understandable given the circumstances.
Georgetown recently banned smoking in and outside of residence halls, a positive chapter taken from the AU book. Some students at Georgetown pushed for this ban, which is fairly similar to AU's ban. As it has on AU's campus, Georgetown's ban on smoking will create healthier dorms and will reduce the frequency of fire alarms.
