By
Justin Ecung
The Utah State University campus in Logan, Utah is an absolutely dry-campus, meaning that there is no alcohol whatsoever permitted on university grounds. However, university officials have noticed a steady rise in alcohol related violations, most notably in the Living and Learning Center, a student housing community located on the west side of campus.
Several students feel that the actions being taken by the USU housing staff to discourage drinking are seen more as scare tactics. Nevertheless, those individuals responsible for the well-being of the students emphasize how dangerous alcohol can be, and how real the problem is.
“We almost had a girl die right here in the LLC due to alcohol poisoning because she drank too much. No one should ever die in the LLC. It should be a fun place where people come together to make new friends and appreciate the college experience,” Timothy Ledna shared.
Ledna, Residence Director of the LLC, has been able to see the consequences of the increase in the consumption of alcohol firsthand.
“This semester, more than ever, I’ve been getting phone calls from concerned parents who urge me to do something. These parents have heard about all of the problems that we have been having with alcohol in the LLC, and as Residence Director hold me directly responsible,” Ledna said.
The changes the housing staff plans to place into effect at their earliest convenience include: a red flag list of students that have been caught with alcohol in the past, police walk-throughs to provide an overall higher presence in the dorms, a larger student staff present on the weekends of big events on campus, a phone number students can use to anonymously text to make residence advisors aware of alcohol problems occurring at that instant as well as harsher punishments for those caught with alcohol.
“I completely agree that something needs to be done about the alcohol problem on campus. Underage drinking is illegal for a reason. But I don’t think that having police officers patrolling the hallways on weekends is the right answer. It won’t promote a fun college environment at all, but rather remind us of the bad things that have happened in the past,” According to a sophomore residing in the LLC.
Within the past few years, the USU housing staff made the decision to install surveillance cameras in the hallways and the common areas of all buildings in the LLC as a safety precaution. Yet, the main doors to each building in the student housing community remain unlocked until at least 10 PM. during weekdays and midnight during weekends. The use of these cameras has come under the scrutiny of students residing in the dorms.
“It’s almost like having a big brother that’s always watching you,” a senior resident said. “I know the cameras are here for our safety, but since when has anything happened in the LLC. I would think that they are used more for reviewing alcohol incidents and to see what was going on, especially now.”
The same senior has lived in the LLC every year of his college career. He has been able to see the many changes that have taken place throughout this time, including the installation of the cameras.
“I assure you that no one is constantly monitoring the cameras,” Ledna stated. “I’m pretty sure that would be illegal in the state of Utah. They are there to ensure the safety of our students. However, if an alcohol offense is serious enough we will review the tape to see what happened.”
In a recent case, Ashley Miller, a residence advisor in building D of the LLC, reported to Ledna that someone had vomited in the building’s elevator, and it smelled like alcohol: inconveniencing all the residents in the building. Ledna assured that the surveillance tapes would be reviewed to find out who was responsible.
Ledna feels that the combination of both education through alcohol awareness programs and the proper deterrents will help bring an end to the alcohol problems plaguing the campus.
Barrett Larwin, another residence advisor, recently held a floor meeting in which the dangers of alcohol were discussed as well as what students can do if they find themselves struggling with drinking.
“A lot of college kids don’t realize the potential dangers associated with alcohol as well as the overall lifestyle changes. Not only can you place your life and the lives of others in danger, but heavy drinking will also affect your overall academic performance. It’s my responsibility to help my residents come to these realizations, and be here to support them in anyway I can,” Larwin shared.
