Penalizing not a solution

Early last week the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house was put on suspension pending an investigation for a Saturday, Feb. 1 party involving alcohol. Police were alerted to the activities via an anonymous phone call.\nSAE is the fifth fraternity chapter to face suspension or expulsion at IU in the past 12 months. \nIU has been attempting to crack down on drinking that leads to injury and death in the past few years, yet alcohol-related incidents resulting in suspensions and probations of fraternity and sorority houses continue to occur. Obviously, the University has not yet hit upon the correct procedure for dealing with this problem.\n IU-Bloomington already ranks fourth highest in the number of alcohol-related arrests among 4-year campuses, according to a study of crime statistics for 2000 reported by the U.S. Department of Education. \nArrests on campus have increased drastically from 126 for violations of liquor laws in 1996 to 479 in 2001, according to crime statistics reported to IUPD. Of the arrests that took place in residential facilities for students, there were 35 in 1996 and 165 in 2001. Numbers of disciplinary referrals due to alcohol-related incidents has also risen in recent years. From 1998-2001, referrals increased from 880 to 1037. Of the 1037 in 2001, 952 were from residence facilities.\nIt is important to remember that arrests and disciplinary referrals come from all residences on campus -- residence halls and greek housing. There is no differentiation between the two. Numbers are rising and the penalties for drinking on campus have become harsher. But the only group that seems to be affected by new policies is the greek community. Expelling a chapter from campus might first appear to solve the problem, but it is like plugging a leak with your finger -- the problem is just going to pop up someplace else.\nA broader, less penalizing approach to the problem is needed. Numbers continue to climb. Obviously removing chapter after chapter is not the answer, and removal, suspension or probation often unfairly punishes those that were not participating in the alcohol-laden adventures. Cracking down on chapters increases the mentality of protecting the brotherhood in situations where one brother may be in jeopardy. Greeks may hesitate to call an ambulance if its arrival means imminent suspension.\nFurther, instituting draconian policies that seek to regulate human behavior through restrictions and punishments does nothing to directly combat the problem either. \nProhibition is not the answer; education is.\nWhen re-occurring alcohol related incidents result in multiple deaths, the problem begs attention. The University will see results if it promotes responsibility and accountability and continues to educate students on the perils of excessive alcohol use. Emphasizing the importance of sober drivers, the buddy system and mandatory keg registration are all steps in a safer direction. \nThe solution is not penalizing the greek system for a problem that extends far beyond its halls.\nStaff vote: 6 - 2 - 0\nyes - no - abstain