re-post :)

Lena Seino

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


Headline: Alcohol Violations prevalent both On and Off Campus

Police reported a sharp increase in the number of off-campus alcohol violations at the Pullman campus of Washington State University, according to the 2009 - 2010 Cougar Annual Security and Fire Report.

Last year, WSU recorded 836 alcohol violations off campus, a 42 percent increase from 2007, according to the report.

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. With bars and a majority of the part scene such as Greek row off-campus may explain why there is a higher number of alcohol violations off campus.

“Campus is the best way to say it,” said Mike J. Petlovany, a WSU police officer when explaining his range of authority.

“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 on university property.”

A more accurate count of students who receive alcohol violations comes from WSU’s Office of Student Conduct, which handles city, campus and county infractions by students.

“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, student safety is their main concern. Officer Petlovany said he looks for individuals endangering themselves and others, or who are being carried or unable to stand. Petlovany also suggested walking in groups and staying with friends.

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 minor in possession (MIP),” she said.

After individuals receive an alcohol violation, student conduct officials look up the police records and contact the student. The Office of Student Conduct’s goal is to provide education, for students who receive infractions such a minor in possession (MIP) or minor in consumption (MIC).

“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. There is a myth among students that the university has a three strike rule where after three strikes you are expelled from the university although this is not true. 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