Residence Life takes realistic approach for student transition

Corri Uddenberg Evergreen reporter

Although it is unrealistic to say that no drinking happens on WSU’s campus, alcohol is not as prevalent in residence halls as WSU’s reputation suggests, said Edwin Hamada, director of Residence Life.

“In some respects, it’s not even a majority of folks that are drinking,” Hamada said. “I don’t see it as a huge problem. But college drinking in general is a problem; I don’t want to minimize that.”

Residence Hall alcohol policies are designed to promote student safety, but also respect their independence as young adults.

“It’s a transitional time. We want people to be safe,” Hamada said. “We don’t want to be micromanagers; we want them to be autonomous.”

However, some incidences involving underage drinking still reveal the challenge of implementing alcohol and substance policies.

On Oct. 27, 2012, WSU freshman Kenny Hummel died from acute alcohol poisoning in a residence hall. The Whitman County coroner reported Hummel’s blood-alcohol level at 0.4, which is in the lethal range.

Steve Hansen, assistant director of the WSU Police Department, said police see increased alcohol-related activity during weekend events.

“Quite a few of the freshmen don’t live in Greek houses, so we see a lot of the aftermath,” he said. “A lot of detoxes happen after parties.”

A court ruling deemed residence halls private, which Hansen said prevents the police from having a continuous presence there. However, police can still enter halls for emergency calls, noise complaints or disorderly conduct.

“We’ve been called in if someone’s disorderly or if someone has drank too much and are in need of detox,” Hansen said. “We’re there about three to four times every weekend.”

Hansen said a lot of their response to alcohol consumption occurs on campus, when students are walking back to residence halls after attending parties elsewhere.

“Where you start to have issues is when you start to do things that draw our attention to you,” Hansen said. “That’s primarily when you’re going to end up with a MIP (Minor in Possession).”

The police can also give out MIPs if they see students possessing alcohol bottles when they are called to respond to other violations, like noise complaints or disorderly conduct. Students who receive MIPs are then sent to the Office of Student Standards and Accountability (OSSA), Hansen said.

“It’s not very often that we’re in the graduate building or Honors Hall,” Hansen said. “We’re often in residence halls with predominantly freshmen who are away from home for the first time and learning the boundaries of drinking.”

The ResLife alcohol policy states that those 21 or older may consumes alcohol and only in the privacy of their own room or the room of another student of legal age, with the door closed. Students of age are also allowed to drink on Orton Hall’s designated 21-and-older floors.

Minors are never permitted to consume alcohol, and students who drink illegally or behave irresponsibly may face disciplinary action.

Hamada said these polices are not meant to be punitive, though they will be maintained by all ResLife employees.

“When a Resident Advisor (RA) documents a violation, the OSSA and the Residential Education Director (RED) will read the document, and it’s usually pretty clear who should handle the violation and how it can be an educational opportunity,” he said.

Any issue that violates the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), namely drug and alcohol use or violence, are forwarded to the OSSA, he said.

Adam Jussel, director of Student Standards, said after a student is sent to the OSSA, the office processes their case individually.

“We try to determine what best fits the needs of our student depending on their previous offenses,” Jussel said.

The OSSA policy states that students of legal age must drink responsibly and in line with the policies of their living environment. Alcohol consumption by minors in WSU-recognized housing is prohibited. All students present when an alcohol/drug violation occurs are subject to disciplinary action.

Jussel said when the facts surrounding violations of this policy are clear they can proceed to an administrative hearing. However, not all hearings can be expedited in the same way.

“It can be impactful to students to have this hanging over their heads,” he said. “It loses the education impact if it takes a long time. That’s why we try to move quickly, so we can provide resolution for our students”

If a student is found responsible, the record of their violation is retained by the OSSA for seven years, Jussel said. The record can only be accessed if a student requests a redacted copy, if the student releases it to an employer or other outside institution, or if the OSSA is subpoenaed.

Though Jussel said the OSSA see drug and alcohol violations more than any other kind, he doesn’t think drinking is all WSU has to offer.

Hamada said he also feels the student body is largely misrepresented in that not all students choose to consume alcohol.

“Generally speaking, the people that cause the most problems are the people that don’t attend WSU because they’re not respectful of the community,” he said. “Most Cougs are pretty respectful.”

Though ResLife, OSSA, and other University alcohol polices may seem overbearing, Hamada, Jussel and Hansen all said the goal is to cultivate success in WSU students.

“The university may feel very intrusive, but it’s appropriate intrusion,” Hamada said. “The university is invested in its students. It helps students graduate.”