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Alcohol violation, education policies similar at area colleges
by Kristina Geerken staff writer
Eastern, Bryn Mawr and Rosemont Colleges, as well as Villanova University, are fundamentally no different from Cabrini in their alcohol policies, stressing that alcohol consumption is illegal for any student under 21 and will result in penalties for any student in violation of the policy.
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As all colleges do, the four colleges have drinking policies to regulate the consumption of alcohol on campus. Some colleges just have rules and the typical jargon written in the handbook. However, some colleges are taking steps to provide other activities so students will have other alternatives to partying with a beer.
"Grim Reaper Day" shows its scary face on Rosemont's campus every year. It is a program that represents the number of people dying due to alcohol. A student gets into the Reaper costume and people volunteer to be victims every fifteen minutes. If the Grim
Reaper touches a person, they are declared "dead" for the day. Being "dead" denies the volunteer the privilege of communicating throughout the day, thus demonstrating the repercussions of drinking and driving.
In addition to Grim Reaper Day, Rosemont has a program called RADAR, which stands for Rosemont Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness Resources. This organization holds programs every Thursday night. According to Teresa Connell, a prevention and education counselor at Rosemont, RADAR wants to offer other activities so kids will not turn to liquor. "We want to get more students involved and are hoping that they will not be lured out to party because there is nothing else to do," Connell said.
Rosemont also has a similar policy to other colleges. This would include no kegs, beer bottles on the grounds or any other kind of liquor. Usually, the alcohol is confiscated, and disciplinary action is taken. Their alcohol policy offefS a student four chances. First, they are referred to RADAR and there is a policy review; second, referral to a five-hour alcohol class and a $50 fine; third, mandatory counseling and a $100 fine or suspension; and on the fourth offense, a meeting with the Dean and a social worker involved with alcohol awareness, a $200 fine and possible expulsion.
Joan Stern is a drug and alcohol counselor at Bryn Mawr.
"I try to provide students with as much information about alcohol, risks and problems associated with drinking, so that they can make responsible decisions about drinking," she said.
Bryn Mawr does not support underage drinking, but allows people to make decisions for themselves. They stress safety, moderation and accountability for those who choose to drink.
"We support an atmosphere free of pressure for those who don't want to drink," Stern said.
Differing from all of the other colleges, the_ Eastern administra- tion hands out suspensions the minute a student is caught with a drink. The first offense consists of a mandatory 90-day suspension, the second offense is a one year suspension and 1f a student is caught a third time, he or she is suspended for two years or more.
Villanova prohibits alcohol consumption and allows a hearing officer to assess the situation. Fines for violations of the University Alcohol Policy and will vary depending on the quantity and types of alcoholic beverages. The handbook gives different prices for different violations, such as kegs versus individual cans of beer. Like Cabrini, Villanova also reserves the right to notify parents.
The Cabrini handbook offers an alcohol policy that involves both fines and mandatory actions involving community service and parents after the third offense.
Cabrini offers random alcohol awareness programs throughout the year. In addition to different programs, the Cabrini Education Office has an interactive CD-
ROM that is offered to all students, although it is basically geared towards students who have drinking fines to pay.
According to senior Josh Hage, the CD offers an opportunity to see the different reactions people have to drinking.
"It gets you very involved with the way the scenes will be going. It's all about judgement calls, morality and offers facts too," Hage said.
Thursday, Oct. 14 at 9:00 p.m., a program has been scheduled in the Widener Center lecture hall. Students who are of age will be drinking alcohol and will be given a Breathalyzer test by a Radnor police officer.
This upcoming week marks the beginning of Alcohol Awareness Week. The Cabrini Health Education office will be offering various programs to inform students of the consequences and risks of alcohol. Other area colleges will be doing the same.