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news:
Alcohol policy
will change little
By Danielle
Grossman
On-line Forty-Niner
The California
State University approved a statewide alcohol policy during
a board meeting Tuesday that began as a reaction to a student's
drinking-related death.
According to Ken
Swisher, spokesperson for the CSU system, the policy will
be the first in the nation to set system-wide standards for
controlling alcohol on its 23 campuses. Collectively, the
policy will affect more than 370,000 students.
"I think it
will send an appropriate message to the campus," said
Alan Nishio, associate vice president of student services.
"Will it stop students from drinking? No. It's saying
alcohol's not allowed, but students may sneak alcohol. We're
not prepared to break into rooms and violate students. The
policies are already in place and are sending a stronger message
on the importance of this issue."
Cal State Long
Beach currently has an alcohol policy almost identical to
the proposed system-wide policy. Students on campus are only
allowed to drink at The Nugget and at sporting events. Also,
at on-campus events, trained people serve alcohol from the
Forty Niner Shops. No alcohol is allowed in residence halls.
Recommendations
for the new policy include limiting vendor advertising at
campus events, limiting alcohol industry funding of student-sponsored
events, providing education programs, enforcing campus rules
and offering incentives to student organizations to raise
funds from sources not related to alcohol.
Other recommendations
include partnering with law enforcement agencies and implementing
alcohol policy training for peer advisers and residential
staff. It will also create an advisory council to examine
issues of student alcohol use and institute an annual policy
orientation program for campus organization advisers and student
officers.
After the drinking-related
death of Cal State Chico student, Adrian Heideman, in October
and the near deaths of two San Diego State students, Chancellor
Charles B. Reed put together a committee to review alcohol
policies.
There are already
alcohol programs in place at CSULB, according to Nishio, and
these will be redirected to satisfy elements of the new policy.
"I hope students
will benefit from programs and learn about the dangers of
alcohol use," Swisher said.
Kim Padulo, director
of student life and development for Greek affairs and leadership
programs, said the new policy would have no real effect on
fraternities and sororities.
"Those student
organizations have more strict policies than other organizations
because of their national status," said Padulo. "Currently,
there is no possession or consumption of alcohol in sorority
houses. Fraternities are moving toward that as well. I would
like to see the Greek system do more education on alcohol
and its effects, though."
The policy will
come back to the board again for approval in July and should
be implemented during the fall semester.
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