Civilians say alcohol policy at Norwich is too strict

The alcohol policy exists to protect students and hold a standard for the university, according to Norwich officials, but is it really doing what it is intended to do: Detering students from making poor decisions and drinking?

According to Iphy Tanguay, Norwich University's director of Residence Life, students usually receive a violation of alcohol policy (VAP) because they have alcohol in their rooms. "You can smell it, you hear clinking or something goes out a window."

"If we suspect someone is drinking in a room, and we have enough evidence, we notify the executive staff, and they come to the room and decide whether or not to notify Norwich security," said Maggie Kelley, a 21-year-old senior history major from Northfield, Vt. Kelley is a third-year resident advisor (RA) on the fourth floor of South Hall.

According to some Norwich students, other schools have different approaches. "From what I've heard, I don't know exact rules of other schools, but it is more strict [at Norwich]," said a student who wishes to remain anonymous. "I think they just have to pay a fee or they just get written up with a warning."

According to the 2009 Student Rules and Regulations handbook, sanctions for the first offense of a violation of alcohol policy (VAP) that involved intoxication, underage consumption or possession or consumption on campus is 30 community service work hours and no representation of the school for 10 days, whether that be representation on a sports team or in a club.

"Obviously getting caught with alcohol underage is a big deal," said the student who wishes to be kept anonymous. "But the 30 hours [of community service] and fee on top of that and to dedicate to class is a lot."

"One of my friends goes to VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University). If you come back to campus wasted they put you in a jail cell in an on-campus precinct and when you wake up in the morning you're free to go," said Stephen LaMarca, a 20-year-old junior physics major from McLean, Va.

"Here, if you come back belligerent and wasted, you have to pay a big fine and it's not over until you do 30 hours of community service," LaMarca said. "I think it's ridiculous that other schools don't care."

The alcohol policy is discriminatory towards athletes, according to April Byllaardt, a 19-year-old sophomore history major from Stormville, N.Y. "For people that don't do anything and aren't in the corps, it's just a VAP."

"I think the reason they have [the 10-day suspension] for athletes is because it's a way for them to not drink, but it obviously doesn't work," Byllaardt said.

Students who come back to campus after consuming alcohol are still at risk of getting a VAP. "Typically when we know someone's been off [campus] and they come back on. It's because they're stumbling and we're concerned for their safety and they're obviously acting inhibited and not in full control of themselves," Tanguay said.

If a student feels uncomfortable at a party, they can't come back to school feeling completely safe. There is still a chance they can get in trouble coming back onto campus if they have consumed any alcohol.

In South Hall, there is an RA sitting at the main desk during weekend nights to try and prevent students from coming back onto campus after drinking, according to students.

Robert Martin, a 20-year-old junior mechanical engineering major from Plainfield, N.J., does not like that a student can be "obeying the rules of not drinking on campus, but come back and get a VAP."

After the sanctions are determined, the student in violation has to participate in the alcohol awareness program, according to Tanguay.

The sanctions are black and white; even if a student is around alcohol or it's in their room or someone with them is drinking, they can be VAPed as well. Many students do not think this is right. The policy is supposed to deter kids from drinking but in reality, it doesn't.

"I had to go to diversion which is basically paying a fine and getting counseled on why drinking is bad," said Chuck Caccibaudo, a 20-year-old junior architecture major from Rhinebeck, N.Y.

When students with a VAP go to see Gail Mears, director of the Office of Substance Abuse Education Prevention, they are given an assessment that determines where they are on the "continuum of drinking."

"The results of that [assessment] determines what makes the most sense for you, either taking a class or doing counseling," Mears said.

Some students disagree that taking classes is going to stop their drinking. Most students drink to socialize and have a good time.

"Kids aren't going to learn anything from having to take a class," said Jill Balasco, a 19-year-old sophomore criminal justice major from Barrington, R.I. "I think the worst part is having to pay the money, and that's enough reason not to get caught again."

There is a $125 fee, which covers the expenses of the assessment and classes, said Mears.

"The classes are held here and we also have an online class for some students who really need to get it done quickly," Mears said.

"The alcohol awareness piece is trying to help any students who potentially in trouble with alcohol so we can help them," Tanguay said.

"If that's the first offense violation, I highly doubt that they have a drinking problem," said the anonymous student. "People that do have a problem should be seen and get treated [elsewhere]."

Some students suggest charging voilators a set fee.

"You can't take [the policy] away and have it be a wet campus, but something should be done," said Byllaardt. "Maybe a fine would be good, and you don't have to do all the community service hours."

"The money should go to a good cause or whatever the student government decides to do with it," said the anonymous student. "Or an anti-alcohol or prevention program."

Whatever happens, it is clear there is a rift between what the school thinks is right and what the students want and think is fair.