Cadets say alcohol policy is easier for civilians

It is no secret that Norwich University is a dry campus, with a clearly stated and strict alcohol policy. However, many corps students are opposed to the policy and would like to see it changed.

The alcohol policy at Norwich has changed a lot over the years and gets stricter with each change. One of the biggest complaints about the current alcohol policy is the difference in punishment for corps students and civilian students.

If members of the corps is caught drinking on campus they automatically get 30 days of close military confinement during which the cadets cannot leave campus, and must report to four formations a day. They also must complete 30 tours, and a mandatory class that is paid for out of their own pocket.

According to Gail Mears, the substance abuse educator and counselor for Norwich University, a civilian student will receive 30 hours of community service, a substance abuse test, and a possible class that would also be paid for with their own money. They are also suspended from extracurricular activities for at least 10 days.

"If you get a VAP (Violation of Alcohol Policy) in the corps, I feel the punishment is so much harder than if you were a civilian," said Amber Heckmann, 19, a junior civil engineering major from San Antonio, Texas.

"If you are going to give a civilian student 30 hours of community service then that's all members of the corps should have to do. If you are going to confine a member of the corps to campus for 30 days then the civilians should be somehow confined as well." Heckmann said.

Mears also agrees that the punishments for civilian and corps students should be equal. "If I could change the policy I would make it the same for both corps and civilian students."

"If a policy is supposed to deter students from drinking and risky activities then I think the punishment should be the same for all of the students at the university," Mears said.

"How is it fair that because I checked the box that said ‘Corps of Cadets' that I am treated so much differently under a policy that should be universal to the entire student population," Heckmann said.

Another criticism that corps students have with the alcohol policy is the toleration VAP system.

"If you are with someone who has alcohol in their water bottle, and you do not know it is in there, you can get in trouble along with them if they get caught," Heckmann said. "Just because you were in their presence while they were drinking on campus you are automatically guilty by association."

"Most of the time when people are tolerating drinking they are just making sure that their buddy doesn't fall out of a window or have alcohol poisoning," said Breandan Arbuckle, 20, a junior nursing major from Mansfield, Mass.

According to Arbuckle it is not fair that a cadet can get into trouble by making sure their buddy is safe, especially when an alcohol policy is supposed to be set in place to protect students. "It contradicts itself."

Arbuckle violated the alcohol policy in September of 2008 and was required to complete 30 tours. He believes that marching tours for VAP's should be eliminated completely.

"Working tours actually help the school, and the people I worked for really appreciated the help even though it was for a punishment," Arbuckle said. "I think working tours would make much more sense

Brittney Schlauch, 20, a junior communications major from Boca Raton, Fla., who was VAPed in March of 2009, agrees that working tours would be more productive.

"If there was a way that students who have (violated the alcohol policy) could serve their hours by riding along on safe rides I think it would be helpful in a lot of ways," Schlauch said. "Students would see the unglamorous side of drinking if they had to take care of a drunken student for the night. I also think it would make the program safer in general if there was more than one sober person in the van at a time."

The fact that no proof is required to VAP a student was also criticized by students. Robert Meintzer, 20, a junior international studies major from Tuscaloosa, Ala., was VAPed in May of 2009 and lost his job as command sergeant major for the Corps of Cadets as a result.

"The fact that anyone with rank in the corps can VAP anyone on suspicion of drinking without any proof isn't right," Meintzer said. "I think breathalyzers should have to be administered by security before a student can be VAPed."

Schlauch agrees that a breathalyzer test should be required because it would eliminate the possibility of a student being falsely accused of drinking on campus.

The length of time spent in confinement was also questioned by some students. "I think it is completely unfair that someone who is on CMC for assault and battery, someone who physically hits another student, should be in confinement for less time than someone who was drinking on campus," Schlauch said.

"If you are caught underage drinking by cops off campus then there is a chance you might get a ticket. But if you are caught at Norwich twice you are thrown out of school completely," Arbuckle said. "The punishment does not deter people from drinking. I think the policy needs to be changed."

Although the students interviewed critiqued the current alcohol policy, most agreed that a policy is needed to keep students safe.

The current policy is clearly not deterring students from drinking alcohol. However, said students, if the university made some adjustments, and took constructive criticism from students and faculty, then changes could be made for the better.