The number of alcohol- and marijuana-related violations at Ohio University increased last year compared to the previous year, according to a report given to the Board of Trustees last Thursday.
Although the number of alcohol- and marijuana-related complaints declined from 2006 to 2009, both increased last year. During the 2009-10 academic year, University Judiciaries received 739 alcohol-related complaints compared to 725 during the 2008-09 school year. Marijuana-related violations increased by 25 to 194 last year, according to a report from University Judiciaries.
We are going to review (the alcohol and drug policy) and see what
if anything can be done said Kent Smith, vice president of Student Affairs. We may look at increasing ... the fine.
OU's alcohol and drug policy is reviewed each year. Students found illegally consuming drugs or alcohol are referred to University Judiciaries for sanctioning, which may include suspension, expulsion or required participation in a drug program, according to the Student Handbook.
No policy will ever dictate student behavior long-term
Smith said.
Of the 27 offenses listed in the report, academic misconduct, possession of narcotics and mental or bodily harm to others showed a decline in complaints from the 2008-09 to 2009-10 school year.
Thirteen offenses, such as disturbing the peace, violation of criminal law and civil disturbance, saw a rise in complaints last year when compared to the previous year, according to the report.
Violations of criminal law rose from 35 to 93 complaints last year, according to the report.
Athens Police Department referred about 50 students to University Judiciaries after uncovering a fake ID ring
said Smith, who attributed the increase to the referrals.
The number of civil disturbance complaints increased from five to 16 last year because of violations related to the Spring Quarter fests and incidents of public urination, Smith said, adding that peer-to-peer conversations about student conduct and student policing will help reduce the number of offenses.
Trustee Danielle Parker agreed, explaining that resident assistants watch over students in the residence halls and report any student code of conduct violations.
When last year's violations were referred to University Judiciaries, many offenders - 64 percent - were placed on probation. Only one out of last year's 1,780 judicial cases ended in expulsion.
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Caitlin Bowling
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