Minor drinking may cause major problems

Farren Churchman
Special to the Hornet
Published October 28, 1999

Underage drinking has always been a societal problem, more so in the college environment. On-campus housing at CSUS has its own set of rules and consequences implemented to avoid problems involving alcohol.

If students under the age of 21 are caught drinking, they can suffer a variety of consequences.

"They first have a conduct meeting with the hall director," said Jane Heaton, assistant director of Residential Life. "If the problem continues, consequences could involve a sanction such as participating in the Alcohol 101 program or one-on-one counseling."

According to Heaton, under age drinking has always been a consistent problem in the dorms. However, Heaton believes that students are now entering college with a foundation in alcohol abuse rather than learning it at school.

The actual consumption of alcohol is not what causes the majority of problems at the dorms, Heaton said. The behavioral problems that follow, such as noise violations, vomiting, and issues of non-compliance, are the main concerns.

Jenny Little, communication studies major and freshman dorm resident, also sees under age drinking as a disturbance in the dorms. "It keeps the rest of us from being able to study."

Resident advisors are charged with keeping an eye on what goes on in their halls. Although it is their responsibility to enforce regulations set by residence halls, they are not required to watch every move residents make. "The staff does not go snooping," said Heaton.

Residents believe that you have to be obvious in order to get caught and punished for under age alcohol consumption.

"You have to be pretty public with the alcohol to get into trouble. We can get away with almost anything," said Little.

Resident advisors are also concerned with quiet drinkers who are missing classes and sleeping a lot.

"We are looking for high risk behavior that would need intervention," Heaton said. "We want to help them before it becomes a conduct issue."

If drinking under age becomes a continual problem, consequences become a bit more serious.

"We take each incident case by case. Residents can be put on probation or maybe even asked to leave the dorms. That is a last resort," said Heaton.

Dorm residents tend to take these consequences seriously when it is almost too late. "Reality sets in when they are about to be kicked out and realize that they are still financially responsible," said Little.

On-campus housing does offer alternatives to students who have a drinking problem. If they want the help, it is available to them through on- or off-campus counseling.

"Some people self-select to say ‘I need help,’" said Heaton.

After evaluating students’ insurance plans and having an assessment done by the Susan Snivly Student Health Center on campus, services are offered to help the student in need.

"These services are not only for residence hall students, but all CSUS students," Heaton said.