Alcohol violations highest in residence halls

Alcohol violations in the CMU residence halls increased during the month of September.

The university also collected $5,850 from alcohol violation fines. Fines are normally $150 for alcohol violations. Two of the 42 violations, however, received a fine of $300 and were put on probation until graduation, according to university reports.

For second-time offenders, the fine is doubled to $300 to help students understand that they cannot consume alcoholic beverages in the residence halls. After this, they must submit a proof of completion in a substance abuse screening and assessment within 30 days.

August saw 14 alcohol violations in the residence halls, garnering $1,950 in fines. To go along with the $150 fine for first-time offenders, a letter is sent home to the students’ parents.

“September is always a busy month,” said CMU Police Chief Stan Dinius. “The first week students get here (in August) and homecomings usually have the most alcohol violations.”

Police expect to deal with more alcohol violations in the wake of the beginning of homecoming week.

The 2004-05 school year accumulated 616 alcohol violations. Only 479 alcohol violations took place during the 2003-04 school year. In 2002-03, 536 alcohol violations took place in residence halls.

The Towers accounted for 18 of the alcohol violations that took place in September. This may have to do with more freshmen living in the Towers, which house approximately 2,200 students.

Incoming freshmen tend to be the biggest violators of alcohol policy because they are unaware of the consequences of drinking their rooms.

“Freshmen are trying to take advantage of all the freedom they are given to have a good time, but they don’t realize they can get caught and will get punished,” said Yale freshman Cemon Lutz.

The violation fine used to be $100, but has changed to $150. Tony Voisin, director of Student Life expected the change to decrease the number of alcohol violations, but with the continual rise in university attendance, he said more alcohol violations can happen.

“We really haven’t had a big issue with alcohol this year in our hall,” said Joe Schmidt, Mason senior and resident assistant in Larzelere Hall. “I’m not complaining about it or anything. It’s definitely a good thing.”