2008 Woodie Awards
Incidents cause Oregon State officials to focus on binge drinking
Ashley Slocki
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(U-WIRE) CORVALLIS, Ore. - With one death due to and four treated for alcohol poisoning, Oregon State University's fall term has underscored a national problem -- binge drinking.
"Alcohol overdose is any instance where the person needs to be hospitalized for any amount of time," university police Lt. Phillip Zerzan said.
University police put out pamphlets with facts and safety tips about binge drinking.
The pamphlets define binge drinking as "the consumption of five or more drinks in a row (four for women) on at least one occasion."
Since the alcohol-related death of an 18-year-old man -- Lance Strickland of Joseph, Ore. -- in Finley Hall in September, the university has taken action to make students more aware of the dangers of drinking.
"People get irresponsible and start playing (drinking) games, and before they know it they can't stop themselves and end up hospitalized or, even worse, dead," Zerzan said.
The number of alcohol overdoses due to binge drinking during fall went up drastically from 2002 to 2003 and then had a slight decline going to 2004.
"Binge drinking is worst during fall term because there are brand-new students that are thrown into a new environment they are not used to and where drinking is the more acceptable," Zerzan said.
Certain campus events can lead police to be on higher alert.
"Football games are out-of-control," said Pat Hunter of the state police. "There was a girl at a football game that was so intoxicated that she could not even stand up ... that is just not safe."
The university has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and for furnishing to a minor or hosting parties for minors.
"There is no discretion when it comes to this kind of thing," Hunter said.
Since the beginning of fall term, there have been 13 citations issued for furnishing a minor, and 73 for minor-in-possession.
"Binge drinking is not the norm -- people that do it suffer in academics and socially," Zerzan said.
Students confronted with the issue often have different opinions than university leaders and police.
"Compared to other schools, I think OSU isn't that wild," said National Student Exchange participant Jeff Baldrige. "I don't really think OSU has a problem yet, but it is good that the school is trying to slow things down."
Last June, the university hired Eric Alexander as an alcohol and other drug educator whose job involves the prevention of substance abuse.
"I don't like calling it binge drinking -- dangerous or high-risk makes more sense," Alexander said. "Like sex, don't do it, but if you, do be responsible. Responsibility is like a condom for your beer."
Alexander also believes the media has a huge impact on the way students view college drinking.
"There needs to be a change -- the way the media protrudes things messes up students perspectives," Alexander said. "This era's 'Old School' was my era's 'Animal House.'"
Alexander believes the main groups at high risk are the first-year students, greeks and the students involved in athletics.
"I think the athletic department is getting a horrible stigma because of a handful of people, not because of who they are as a whole," said Dan McCarthy, Associated Students of Oregon State University president.
It's obvious the publicity the university has received hasn't been something the university is proud of.
"I think it goes without saying that OSU is getting bad rap for what has happened earlier this fall," McCarthy said.
Multiple organizations around campus are trying to change the outlook the university has received due to the tragedy this September.
"This year we are trying to eliminate Shasta," McCarthy said. "Shasta" refers to the traditional trip taken by students at Lake Shasta in Northern California. Drinking is a common occurence in the houseboats students rent for the weekend.
"We want to get a new tradition going. Shasta is a vicious cycle," McCarthy said. "Students know someone that gets hurt or killed, stop going there, then they leave and a new group comes in and it starts over again."
Dean of Student Life Jackie Balzer is also getting involved.
"OSU is taking this very seriously," Balzer said. "I also would like to compliment the great work students and faculty are doing to help with this matter."