THE DEPAUW
BACs along with GPAs were on the rise this Winter Term. For the first time classes were offered for course credit, but the number of students transported to the Putnam County Hospital due to alcohol consumption spiked.
According to Dean of campus life, Dorian Shager, visits increased from one transport last Winter Term to seven this term. All of the students transported this Winter Term were first-years.
The increases follow what Shager called, “the best start of the new school year,” DePauw has seen since the numbers were calculated. Winter Term proved to be a different story.
Within the last seven years, an average of two DePauw students have been transported to the hospital due to suspected alcohol poisoning during Winter Term. The increase is both concerning and unclear to administrators plagued with the task of lowering high-risk drinking on campus.
“The next step will be increasing programing and educational efforts second semester,” Shager said. “We have an alcohol and drug oversight committee that will be delving into these numbers.”
Another committee formed last year entitled BACdown made up of student leaders on campus from such organizations as IFC and Panhellenic, Student Government, as well as RAs and mentors will also research the numbers and discuss potential solutions.
High-risk drinking is not a problem just on DePauw’s campus. According to the Newark Advocate covering Denison University, “a case of alcohol overdose occurs on average about once every two days that Denison is in session.”
The onus, according to Frist-year resident assistant, Craig Carter, falls on the students.
“I feel that RAs are doing their job. It is up to students to apply the knowledge they are given,” he said. “Honestly, the only way this is going to change is if there is a higher level of maturity among the student body.
Shager echoed similar sentiments.
“DePauw students are at good calling for help when students need help,” he said. “I think one of the things we need to do better is that students are cutting each other off earlier.
“The problem is working the intervention in a socially accepted manner,” said Director of public safety, Angie Nally. “We want our entire community to be one of care. Even if you’ve never seen this person before, and you see some kind of problematic thing that’s starting to take place, jump in and help.”