Alcohol violators face new policies
Jacob W. Brower

Associate Editor

Students who break Missouri Southern s alcohol policy this year could be subject to stiffer penalties.

Under a policy enacted this summer, students caught with alcohol on campus may be fined $25 and ordered to attend an on-campus alcohol education seminar - as well as possible probation or suspension. Also, the College may contact the Joplin Police Department in cases of underage offenders.

Doug Carnahan, dean of students, said the $25 fine is applied to an alcohol education fund. In the past, violators were subject to only probation or suspension.

Students give the new policy mixed reviews.

"Alcohol has no place at a learning institution, because it depletes your ability to retain the information you're trying to learn," said Matthew Harris, freshman psychology major. "If this will keep alcohol off the campus, I'm all for it."

Darrell Redmond, junior criminal justice major, believes otherwise.

"My opinion is that there should be no workshop," he said. "A fine? No, man. We're students - we're already struggling. I think all they're trying to do is get more money, just like they did when they raised the tuition."

Redmond said he is not opposed to a fine being assessed for a second offense.

"I think a warning should be given first, then fine the repeat offenders," he said. "Everybody should get a second chance, but there shouldn't be a workshop."

Carnahan said first-time offenders are usually let off with a warning.

"We don't have many repeat offenders," he said. "We have a handful of second-time offenders each year, but usually, just a visit with the student works."

Ken Kennedy, manager of safety and security, teaches the monthly 90-minute seminar. In the seminar, he covers the possible dangers of alcohol, legal ramifications and how alcohol affects the body. The seminar also covers alcohol in relation to sex and violence.

Kennedy, who said he got the idea from a Partners in Prevention workshop this summer, said the seminar is not intended as a means of punishment.

"Students who are better informed about the risks of drinking alcohol to excess are much more likely to make rational decisions," he said. "It's our goal to make sure students at Missouri Southern are successful, and getting them to reduce their alcohol intake will allow them to do so.

"We don't feel this presentation is very punitive. It's like a warning, basically. It's for educational more than disciplinary purposes."

Carnahan said there have been 15-20 alcohol citations issued this semester. He said there are usually about 60 citations issued per year.

"I haven't seen any increase," he said. "I know there's been a lot of publicity lately about binge drinking on campus, but I haven't seen that it's any worse now than in years past.

"That's not to say it isn't a problem. It is still a problem, and we're still dealing with it."

Carnahan said he expects the program to ultimately be successful.

"I think it will be a deterrent," he said. "It can't do anything but help."