justice story

I) Increase in alcohol arrests
a. Statistics of increase
b. Most common
II) Jurisdiction
a. Quote about campus
b. Quote about other side
c. Reasons for the difference in numbers
III) trends in data
a. seasons
IV) goals
a. for police
b. for student conduct
V) extra information
a. 3 strikes


head line: Alcohol Violations On and Off Campus

According to the 2009 - 2010 Cougar Annual Security and Fire Report there is a rise in alcohol violations reported by off-campus police at the Pullman campus of Washington State University.

The report states that in 2007, student conduct dealt with 588 cases of alcohol violations, while in 2008 the number rose to 836, a total increase of 248 students receiving disciplinary action due to an alcohol violation.

The report also showed alcohol was the most common infraction WSU’s student conduct deals with.

“A majority of the undergraduate student population is underage,” said Meghan L. Burton, an officer for the Office of Student Conduct.

The numbers of on campus alcohol violations have stayed roughly the same within the past two years with 174 infractions in 2007 and 175 in 2008. This is mainly affected by the location and range of jurisdiction WSU police has.

“Campus is the best way to say it,” said Mike J. Petlovany, a WSU police officer.

“We can assist the Pullman Police Department but we focus on university owned property, apartments, dorms and contact a lot of people on routes from College Hill to the dorms.”

A more accurate count of students who receive alcohol violations comes from the Office of Student Conduct at WSU because they see a wider range of authority.

“We see all cases from Pullman Police Department, WSU, and Whitman Country,” Burton said.

Although most alcohol violations happen at night, “There are definite times in the year where they are more common, peaking with good weather in the beginning of the year, springtime, and football games,” Burton said.

For WSU officers the student’s safety is their main concern. Officer Petlovany said he looks for individuals endangering themselves and others, being carried or unable to stand. Petlovany also suggested walking in groups and staying with people you know.

Kelsey Knutson, a sophomore, said she feels safer when she walks around College Hill with her friends. “You kind of learn what the cops are looking for, so as long as you don’t bring attention to yourself or make a scene there’s no reason you should get a MIP,” she said.

After individuals receive an alcohol violation student conduct look up the police records and contact the student. The Office of Student Conduct’s goal is to provide education, such as a class called “College Alcohol” that students who receive infractions such as an MIP or MIC are required to take.

“Our mission is purely educational and our process is complexly separate from the legal aspect,” Burton said.

Burton also debunked a common myth about WSU’s three strike rule. Depending on the severity of the violation and number of occurrences, an individual can be sent to the University Conduct Board where retention or dismissal of said person or organization will be discussed.


Sources

2009-2010 Cougar Annual Security/ Fire Report

Officer Mike Petlovany
WSU police department
MJP@wsu.edu

Meghan L. Burton
Conduct Officer
Conduct@wsu.edu
509-335-4532

Kelsey Knutson
student
kknutson@wsu.edu