AU students with multiple alcohol transports will now have a record of hospitalization on their permanent records, according to a new policy in the Student Conduct Code. Previously, transported students faced only Judicial Affairs and Mediation Services (JAMS) and hospital fees. After the initial pain of IVs and early-morning alcohol education classes, all records of the ill-fated night were reduced to fuzzy memories.
According to the university, the new policy is a reaction to an increase in multiple transports. Out of the 37 transports last year, only three people required multiple transports. With that in mind, AU's policy seems a bit of an overreaction, especially since its new policy will apply to the thousands of students who make up the student body.
While the policy is still more lenient than those at neighboring schools (GW reserves the right to suspend students for a year after drinking violations), following the pack is not the best method to deal with student drinking.
Even more, the threat of "permanent record" may dissuade paranoid partiers from getting help when they need it, especially if they have been transported before. A person who requires more than one transport needs counseling and support, not a permanent record at AU.
As a university that seeks to develop students inside the classroom and out, AU should return to its previous policy and keep transports off students' records.
New policies can spawn new rumors, and the last thing a nervous, tipsy freshman wants to look up come 2 a.m. Saturday morning is obscure details of the Student Conduct Code. In those situations, many may choose to wait it out rather than risk potential punishment. And while fear tactics discourage students from seeking help, it's doubtful that the risk of transport kept anyone from picking up that beer last Friday and avoiding that risk in the first place.
The policy switch puts AU students at risk. We shouldn't have to wait for someone to get hurt before re-evaluating a faulty decision.
