Hospital visits from residence halls increase, 42 students this academic year

Tommy McVay left his residence hall Halloween night to party as Ricky Bobby.

The next morning, McVay awoke in a hospital room with a splitting headache and virtually no memory of the night before.

After finishing at least a fifth and a half of Citrus Smirnoff, the Morenci freshman said the last thing he remembered was arriving at a party.

Friends told McVay the next morning that, after arriving back in his room, he severely hit his head, resulting in a concussion and a trip to the emergency room.

“Once you get really drunk, you can’t tell the effect the alcohol is having on you,” McVay said. “I just kept drinking.”

Associate Director of Residence Life Joan Schmidt said there have been more people living in residence halls transported to the hospital for alcohol-related incidents this year than ever before.

Since last August, 42 students have been taken to the emergency room due to excessive alcohol use. Last year at the same time, 27 students were reported.

Shaun Holtgreive, associate director of Residence Life, said he believes the sharp rise is partly due to flavored alcohol.

“Part of the problem with flavored liquor is that it doesn’t taste like alcohol. Inexperienced drinkers don’t realize how much and how quickly they’re drinking,” Holtgreive said. “No matter what your size is, your body can only metabolize it so fast.”

Schmidt and Holtgreive said they are very concerned about the increase and encourage students to seek help if they have consumed too much.

Students sent to the hospital are required to attend a drinkers’ check-up meeting with a Residence Life counselor to talk about what happened and see if they need any additional help, Schmidt said.

She said the students’ attitude is a huge factor in whether additional charges are given.

“We would really just like to assist someone who’s made a bad choice,” Schmidt said.

McVay did not received a MIP or fine from his incident.

While he admits his partying days are not behind him, he is grateful to those watching out for him that night.

“I learned that I need to watch myself and be smarter when you’re out,” McVay said. “I’m glad they made sure I was OK.”