Campus Police has released the 2007 Annual Security Report, revealing a significant decrease in liquor law and drug-related violations from previous years.
Liquor law violations in residence halls in 2007 dropped to 559 from 732 in 2006.
In 2006, the College reported the highest number of liquor law violations in the three-year span shown in the report. There were 772 violations, as compared to the 707 violations reported in 2005.
John Collins, chief of Campus Police and director of Campus Security, said he believes the reason the number of violations has dropped is due to the possibility that the number of parties being held on campus has also decreased.
"We believe there was less partying activity on campus last year," Collins said. "We consistently maintain a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drug use."
A liquor law violation, according to the College's security report, constitutes the "sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus" in ways that violate state and federal law and College policies. However, legal and responsible consumption of alcohol is permitted on campus.
Drug-related violations have also declined. As reported for 2007, there were six on-campus drug violations, compared to 26 violations in 2006. According to Matthew Golden, executive director of Public Relations and Communications, the 76 percent decrease may have resulted from the College's efforts to promote alcohol and drug awareness programs.
"The College has been a leader in addressing alcohol and drug use on campus in a proactive fashion by creating prevention programs designed to promote healthy choices," Golden said.
The Alcohol and Drug Education Program (ADEP) is one of the programs created to promote educational support services for the College community. According to ADEP's Web site, the program's goal is to provide students an atmosphere in which alcohol use is not the central focus of all social events.
Joe Hadge, coordinator of ADEP, said alcohol and drug awareness programs and events, such as LollaNoBooza, help connect students and College members with the idea that good health and responsible choices are becoming more accepted.
"Providing nice locations, entertainment as well as physical outlets for students to unwind and socialize are fundamental practices," Hadge said.
Hadge said he also believes the only way the statistics will continue to decrease is if the College community works together to prevent certain violations from happening.
"I encourage our community to support and enact individual and communal responsibility," Hadge said. "Each and every one one of us can confront matters. We need to take care of ourselves and others."
