Mar 19, 2008 7:09 pm US/Central
SMU Student Goverment Endorses On-Campus Bar
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Southern Methodist University's student government has endorsed the idea of an on-campus bar.
The student senate voted to approve a student pub as a way to reduce potentially deadly alcohol abuse by students.
The plan was first brought forth by a task force designed to give the university greater control over students who drink.
Last year, drugs and alcohol ended the lives of three SMU students. In the fall of 2007, 15 students were treated for alcohol and drug-related emergencies, many of which occurred off-campus.
The university responded by forming a substance abuse prevention task force. On Jan. 31, the task force handed SMU's president a 23-page proposal.
There were three key recommendations in the proposal. One called for an on-campus pub or bar. The second would allow fraternities to throw in-house parties, providing they hire SMU police to check IDs and professional bartenders to serve alcohol to students of legal age.
"If we keep it in a place that is enclosed, and we are able to watch everyone, then a lot of the issues that come with drinking and drugs can be stopped," said Greg Standerfer, a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
As of now, frat parties are held off campus at local bars. The task force believes that an on-campus bar, along with on-campus frat parties, will give SMU more control over social events while cutting down on drunk driving.
The third key recommendation called for medical amnesty. Students who have been drinking could call 911 or campus police if a fellow student overdoses on drugs or alcohol. Former students Cullen Carrick and Ryan were faced with that very dilemma two years ago.
"I think it's a good idea - especially medical amnesty. I know as freshman roommates, there was a time when Ryan was pretty messed up, but I didn't call because I was afraid of getting in trouble," said Carrick.
But medical amnesty would allow a student to call for help without being suspended or expelled.
"My wish would be that students wouldn't be drinking," said Karen Miller, a former SMU student, "but I think the reality is they are. I think anything that can be done to kind of keep them closer to campus, where they're not, of course, driving is probably, as long as it's monitored, a good idea."
Others said that the plan would do little to curb underage drinking. "If they're not 21 yet, they're not going to go on-campus to try to get alcohol, I don't think, so they're just going to end up going off-campus anyway," said student Courtney Sartor.
SMU issued this statement: "The overall goal is to support an environment that encourages wise decision making and the wellbeing of our students."
University spokeswoman Patricia Lasalle says the recommendations must be approved by SMU president Gerald Turner.
Other Schools With Medical Amnesty Policies:Cornell UniversityUniversity Of PennsylvaniaHanover College NYU Keystone College (.pdf file)Lafayette College
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