One week after the alcohol-free programs held by Scholastica and Memorial Dorms, and just hours after the Ferrell Hall Pub Night, a BC student was taken to the local hospital for alcohol poisoning.
During the month of February on the Benedictine Campus, many alcohol related incidents have been occurring. “There was once a monk who said ‘don’t make any huge decisions in the month of February’” said Joe Wurtz, Dean of Students. Wurtz also says “February is deceiving and long, there is no break, it’s cold outside and a lot of indoor activity could be contributing to this behavior.”
The consequences of alcohol related incidents are not exactly listed in the student handbook.
Speaking on why the exact consequences are not specified, Christen Jones, assistant Dean of Students said, “We want to treat each situation individually.” The first punishment for violating an alcohol policy is usually a fine of one hundred dollars; the second includes a fine and an alcohol education class at the New Freedom Counseling Center.
Ashley Burke, a freshman who has attended the alcohol- education class said, “We talked about the movie The Matrix, and the videos that were being showed looked like they were made in the seventies.”
Junior, Madison Rochon, who also attended the class said “My initial opinion of the meeting is this the real presentation or a joke? The only thing that stuck out to me was when the guy leading it stuck his hunting knife in the wall to get our attention.”
Jones, who has never sat in on a class, believes it benefits some, while others may not be open to it and aren’t fond of spending eight hours at a counseling center on a Saturday.
For many students, confusion may lie in the aspect that Alcohol- Free Programs were taking place one week then the next a free keg in Ferrell Hall. Why was this allowed?
Jones says “There is nothing wrong with alcohol itself. We want to promote the right attitude towards it such as giving opportunities for moderate drinking to those of age, and for fellowship.”
Wurtz adds to the reasons behind the pub night and says “It followed the philosophy of responsible drinking, the students were 21, and there was a drink limit.”
Benedictine College allows the serving of beer in the MCI or events such as the Pub Night to support this responsible drinking philosophy.
If a student is just drunk walking on Benedictine’s campus, no actions are done to discipline the student. “We want students to feel comfortable on getting help, such as a student having alcohol poisoning. We don’t want our students to be afraid of getting help or calling an RA.” Although, Jones goes on to say -“if the intoxicated student is violent towards others, waking up half the dorm, or disturbing the community, there will be consequences”
Both Wurtz and Jones believe the consequences and disciplinary system regarding alcohol at Benedictine are good and possess a balanced approach. Recently, in the freshman dorm of Scholastica, an all dorm meeting was called. Alcohol was one issue addressed by the RA’S who wrote a letter to the girls. During a meeting Jones says “The RAs read a letter expressing great love and great joy on being in the hall, and they challenged the residents in all different groups, to not judge people. They did challenge them to not drink. The main motive was expressing on how much compassion they had for the girls.”
As the month of February rolls on, may we not forget the words of St. Benedict “...let us at least agree to drink moderately, and not to the point of excess, for wine makes even wise men go astray.”