The Orion - Spring 2013, Issue 15

Page 1

HIT THE ROAD, JACK

DAILY NEWScast

The sex columnist discusses bedroom blunders, some caused by booze See Features B7

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Study culture

SUSPENSION

NATIONAL SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HEALTH

Frat cuts ties with campus after 21 years

2009 | NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS: 28,027 between the ages of 18 and 22 A breakdown of the additional drugs used by the 1,794 students who have used Adderall non-medically

6.4

PRESCRIPTION TRANQUILIZERS

24.5

percent

percent

89

BINGE-DRINKING 1,596 students

percent

440 students

Pedro Quintana Senior Writer

6.4 percent of full-time college students have used Adderall non-medically.

28.9

44.9

COCAINE

percent

percent

518 students

PRESCRIPTION PAIN RELIEVERS

Fraternity Sigma Chi has announced it will disassociate with Chico State after the university stated long-term suspensions for both its chapter and another earlier this month, punishments both organizations are calling unjust. The second fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, is fighting the sanctions, having announced May 9 it will appeal the punishment.

805 students

1,794 students

the orion •PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JENNA FUJITSUBO AND SCOTT LEDBETTER

Officials see dangers in ‘study drugs’ Nicholas Carr Staff writer

A social media report released earlier this month detailed how the use of stimulants is becoming an increasingly common study aid for college students. Brigham Young University conducted the study titled “Tweaking and Tweeting: Exploring Twitter for Nonmedical Use of a Psychostimulant Drug (Adderall) Among College Students.” Researchers monitored tweets containing the keyword “Adderall” between November 2011 and May 2012. While the average usage throughout the period was from about 930 individual accounts

responsible for apprehending fugitives in connection with various drug-related issues. “The unit was doing good police work,” he said. “We were making a difference.” Hass doesn’t think the problem is directly related to Enloe Medical Center or the Student Health Center, but rather with private practice institutions. “I know for a fact that there have been bad doctors in Chico investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency for falsely prescribing certain medications,” he said. Overprescribing these kinds of medication is another factor leading to the proliferation and abuse of these dangerous

per day, the number of hits spiked to more than 2,200 during periods in December and April, when many universities hold exams. With the end of term a few days away, The Orion reached out to assess how this trend is affecting the Chico State community. Law enforcement “There have been countless cases of college-aged students involved in drug abuse and drug dealings,” said Kevin Hass, former detective with the Chico Police Department’s street crime unit. He was involved with the unit for four years before it was disbanded six months ago. Hass and his team were mainly

narcotics, Hass said. “People we catch in possession of prescription meds have too much of it and are selling the pills to make a profit,” he said. Getting caught with an unprescribed substance as a first offense usually ends in a probationary sentence with required counseling due to the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act. “If you get caught selling, you are not eligible for Prop 36 and are subject to much harsher punishments,” Hass said. Education is the first step in prevention, he said. After that, it falls on enforcement. “After that, it all comes >> please see Abuse | A4

CSU counselors scarce, strained STRETCHED THIN

Risa Johnson Staff Writer

NUMBER OF STUDENTS PER COUNSELOR, PER CSU CAMPUS

5,539

5,500 5,000

NA O

TO EN

M PO

Y BA

O M

PO

Y SA

CR

AM

EN

BA ST

IC EA

SOURCE • INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNSELING SERVICES

*MAXIMUM RATIO RECOMMENDED BY INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNSELING SERVICES (ACCREDITATION BODY) IS 1,500 STUDENTS PER COUNSELOR

AM

1,000 500

NA

1,000 500 TO

2,000 *1,500

O

2,000 *1,500

2,886 2,353

CR

2,500

SA

2,419

3,500 3,000

O

3,010

ST

3,500 3,000

4,077

IC

3,712

4,500 4,000

EA

4,000

RATIO OF STUDENTS TO FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT COUNSELORS

CH

4,500

2,500

MARCH 2013

6,000

5,678

5,000 RATIO OF STUDENTS TO FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT COUNSELORS

the orion •INFOGRAPHIC BY JENNA FUJITSUBO

Representatives from mental health money is tight. I have to do well,’” Bomcenters on all 23 campuses attended mersbach said. The first mental health problem for the 78th California Faculty Association Assembly, where understaffing was the college students is anxiety, she said. biggest topic discussed, Bommersbach Depression is second. Students shouldn’t drop out of school said. “It was shocking,” she said. “No one or be in danger of committing suicide because of ordinary probspoke against it.” lems that could be solved Attendants stood up “We owe it to the with additional counseland said they noticed students of California ors, Bommersbach said. an increase in problems “We owe it to the stubecause of the lack of counto give the best services dents of California to give seling, Bommersbach said. possible.” the best services possible,” In the past three years Mimi Bommersbach she said. “In the long run, stakes have gotten higher Chico State Counselor you save money and probfor college students, which ably save lives.” has caused additional anxiety, she said. Many students load up on Uncertain future for CSU counseling courses in an effort to graduate sooner to save money, which often creates more services Chico State administrators placed the stress than success. “Students think, ‘Money is scarce, >> please see HEALTH | A4

INDEX World News

2009

6,000 5,500

CH

Chico State Counseling Center employees are worried California State University students are receiving counseling care that is below standard. The center is understaffed, along with the majority of the CSU campuses, according to the International Association of Counseling Services. Chico State has one full-time counselor for every 2,353 students. The maximum ratio recommended by the IACS is 1,500 students for every counselor. Counselor Mimi Bommersbach has worked for the Counseling Center for 10 years and is concerned about budget cuts and the merging of the Counseling Center, the Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center and the Student Health Center, which caused her to lose her director position last year. “We’ve been on a shoestring for a long time,” Bommersbach said. “We have money for salaries and to keep the lights on and that’s it.” Cal State L.A. has the most understaffed counseling center in the CSU system, with one fulltime equivalent counselor for every 7,911 students. Mimi Chico State is near the Bommersbach Chico State middle of the spectrum. counselor Bommersbach suggested CSU Chancellor Timothy White write up an executive order that addresses the understaffing of the mental health services at the CSUs. “It’s not just a Chico problem,” she said. “It’s a CSUwide problem.”

Suspension prompts departure After an investigation, the university suspended Sigma Chi for brewing beer inside its chapter house on Ivy Street, according to investigation records obtained by The Orion. Police officers found equipment and liquid that was part of the home beermaking system. The university also learned this was the third or DREW fourth time members man- CALANDRELLA ufactured alcohol in the Vice president for student fraternity house, according affairs to the records. In a press release, Sigma Chi protested the suspension, claiming the university’s expection of “perfection in every case is unjust.” The organization will continue to follow and abide by the rules set forth by the university but without its supervision or oversight. The chapter will try to demonstrate to the administration it can positively affect the community without being affiliated with campus, the press release said. Fraternity fights back Pi Kappa Alpha announced it would appeal its three-year suspension May 9 after the university found it guilty of hosting a social event. The fraternity received notice of the suspension May 6, about a month after hosting a themed drinking party called “Around the World.” Members “I do not believe sold wristthe guidelines are bands and unrealistic, and the fact T-shirts at that most of the Greek the party, chapters are working which some within the guidelines 200 students speaks volumes.” attended and 40 fraternity Drew calandrella members Vice president for student participated affairs in, according to investigation records obtained by The Orion. In a press release, Pi Kappa Alpha supported the university’s decision to reform the Greek system, but called the three-year suspension unjust. University responds The university cannot ignore a mistake as large as alcohol in Greek houses, wrote Drew Calandrella, vice president of student affairs, in an email to The Orion. “I do not believe the guidelines are unrealistic, and the fact that most of the Greek chapters are working within the guidelines speaks volumes.” Pedro Quintana can be reached at pquintana@theorion.com

EVENT GUIDELINES The university has the following guidelines regarding Greek social events: • Chapter events cannot be publicized by the organization. • If two or more chapter members live at a residence, that residence is considered an annex house. • Chapters are expected to follow state, local and school policies. • Student Life and Leadership will discuss policies with advisers. SOURCE • chico state GREEK LIFE WEBSITE

INSIDE A2

Sports

B1

Weather

A2

Directory

B3

Police Blotter

A4

Features

B5

Opinion

A6

Sex Column

B7

TODAY

87 60

high low

Sports

Features

Opinion

A die-hard Sacramento Kings fan dishes on the Maloofs and debates the team’s chances of staying in California. Commentary B3

Artists come together to help raise funds for the Chico School of Rock, a music education program. Story B5

Our columnist tells parents they should dish out the cash to send their kids to school. Column A7

full week A2 >>

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