Winthrop University Drinking Issues Increase

By Emily Gill
Drinking: it can lead to academic failure, assault and death. Yet, it remains the most popular
social activity for college students.
Winthrop University has experienced a rise in drinking reports this semester, and has spent a
significant amount of time addressing these problems. The rise has not been easily predicted.
Bethany Marlowe, the assistant vice president for student life and the dean of students,
frequently deals with drinking reports. We have had a particularly active fall, she chuckled.
This semester the number of offenses overall increased from last year. One and done is usually
the case, Marlowe said.
Sgt. Wes Wiles of the Winthrop University Campus Police said, Typically, the first couple
weeks of the school year are worse. This one lasted a little longer than a few weeks and it looks
like its going to go all the way through [the semester].
Each semester incoming students go through an alcohol education program during orientation.
The program covers statistics about drinking and consequences of drinking violations.
Pamphlets for students from the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
Services state monetary consequences. None are cheap. Students charged with alcohol
violations could pay a fine of $265 to $470 and/or spend up to 30 days in jail for a first offense.
Mary Cahill, the residence life coordinator for Wofford Hall, said she has seen as many cases at
this point in the semester as she did in all of last year. Cahill said, Freshmen have a deluded
sense of freedom when they come in.

This false sense of freedom can be dangerous. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism states the first six weeks of the semester dictate much of a students college career.
Tia Falu, a junior social work major and resident assistant in Wofford Hall, said students learn
their boundaries as the semester continues. Falu said, They dont excessively drink. They have
a set of friends they trust to go out with.
The Health and Counseling Services at California Polytechnic State University has estimated
159,000 of first-year college students will drop out next year for alcohol or other drug related
reasons.
Marlowe said research has indicated the majority of college students are able to manage their
lives and drinking. Winthrop intends to help those that cannot. The process is designed to be
educational, Marlowe said.
She stated that alcohol is not the main focus of Winthrops social life. If you choose not to
drink, there are certainly ways to enjoy college life that doesnt involve alcohol.