2008 Woodie Awards
ASAC committee combats drinking
Maggie Te Grotenhuis and Chase Becicka
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: News
The Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) met on Feb. 28 at Kirkwood Community College in an attempt to form a committee to help prevent the rising problem of underage student drinking at the Kirkwood apartments.
Ashley Crider, a prevention specialist, was sent by ASAC to help form a council at Kirkwood to deal with the issue. Co-owners of Village East/West apartments Robin Hill and Tammy Mack; Kirkwood Public Information Services Director Steve Carpenter; Kirkwood Advising/Student Development Coordinator Darin Pint; and CRPD Officer Mitchell Crist were all in attendance at the committee's first meeting.
Crider began the meeting with introductions and quickly moved to an outline of what the group's goals would entail. Some of the main concerns about underage drinking and drug consumption expressed by students included the ease in obtaining alcohol and recreational narcotics.
The main focus of the committee's first meeting was to properly identify the problem areas in regard to Kirkwood students and substance abuse.
Pint, who is also Kirkwood's head golf coach, discussed athlete accountability. Pint suggested that athletes might have a higher standard of expected behaviors. The issue of fairness was questioned but it was agreed that the communication between the complexes and Kirkwood should be consistent so that some students are not targeted and others are not left out.
Next, a proposal to open a liquor store in the strip mall next to the Kirkwood Courts apartments was discussed. Carpenter said that there is an interest by a business owner to open a liquor store but due to zoning laws, the establishment might be denied. This does not mean though that the party wishing to open the venue will not pursue opening a store at another location near the Kirkwood campus.
One student raised the issue that a message focused strictly on the education portion of binge drinking may not be useful. He explained that giving students alternatives to drinking would be the best solution.
The floor was then turned over to housing representatives Hill and Mack. Hill and Mack discussed Village East/West policies regarding drinking violations and their procedure regarding fines for lease violations. Fines can be issued for residents who possess alcohol and drug paraphernalia.
Crider then discussed the PRI educational program that she initially began. The PRI program was developed to help those who receive violations for alcohol. It is one alternative to paying fines that housing charges for these violations.
The next meeting will be Thursday, March 13, at 11 a.m. in the Amana Room. Crider said the focus of the meeting will be to develop a plan for the remainder of the semester. Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend.
Ashley Crider, a prevention specialist, was sent by ASAC to help form a council at Kirkwood to deal with the issue. Co-owners of Village East/West apartments Robin Hill and Tammy Mack; Kirkwood Public Information Services Director Steve Carpenter; Kirkwood Advising/Student Development Coordinator Darin Pint; and CRPD Officer Mitchell Crist were all in attendance at the committee's first meeting.
Crider began the meeting with introductions and quickly moved to an outline of what the group's goals would entail. Some of the main concerns about underage drinking and drug consumption expressed by students included the ease in obtaining alcohol and recreational narcotics.
The main focus of the committee's first meeting was to properly identify the problem areas in regard to Kirkwood students and substance abuse.
Pint, who is also Kirkwood's head golf coach, discussed athlete accountability. Pint suggested that athletes might have a higher standard of expected behaviors. The issue of fairness was questioned but it was agreed that the communication between the complexes and Kirkwood should be consistent so that some students are not targeted and others are not left out.
Next, a proposal to open a liquor store in the strip mall next to the Kirkwood Courts apartments was discussed. Carpenter said that there is an interest by a business owner to open a liquor store but due to zoning laws, the establishment might be denied. This does not mean though that the party wishing to open the venue will not pursue opening a store at another location near the Kirkwood campus.
One student raised the issue that a message focused strictly on the education portion of binge drinking may not be useful. He explained that giving students alternatives to drinking would be the best solution.
The floor was then turned over to housing representatives Hill and Mack. Hill and Mack discussed Village East/West policies regarding drinking violations and their procedure regarding fines for lease violations. Fines can be issued for residents who possess alcohol and drug paraphernalia.
Crider then discussed the PRI educational program that she initially began. The PRI program was developed to help those who receive violations for alcohol. It is one alternative to paying fines that housing charges for these violations.
The next meeting will be Thursday, March 13, at 11 a.m. in the Amana Room. Crider said the focus of the meeting will be to develop a plan for the remainder of the semester. Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend.
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