Despite the best efforts of campus organizations and the University Police Department, students continue to find alternative — and sometimes illegal — ways to pass time.
The annual Campus Crime Report shows an increase in on-campus arrests for drug abuse and alcohol violations, something the university has been trying to curb with free activities like Late Nite, the John R. Emens Artist Series and athletic events.
"Late Nite and University Program Board definitely helps with that," UPB President Jordan Habayeb said. "We usually have to turn people away at Friday Night Filmworks."
Arrests on charges of liquor law violations increased in the past year. Ninety-five arrests were made in 2010. There were 77 arrests in 2009 and 128 in 2008.
While arrests were up, the number of disciplinary referrals decreased. These are citations that do not result in arrest. About 400 referrals were documented on campus and in on-campus housing. That means about 2 percent of the student population has received a referral.
Gene Burton, chief of police for UPD, said he wants to see UPD be more proactive in preventing campus crime, and he hopes the community sees them as an approachable resource.
"There's a protection element in there that we're here to serve our community and keep them safe," he said. "I think sometimes that message isn't as loud or as consistent as I'd like to see it."
Burton said he doesn't put much stock in the numbers, even though he would always like them to be lower. He said he considers the city's economic condition a factor in the increased crime statistics, noting that most of the offenders in campus crimes aren't students.
"A perfect example is the gentleman caught just two weeks ago with the bike thefts," he said. "That was a gentleman who was not affiliated with the university in any way, shape or form. He came and caused us a lot of headaches."
The report does not mention bike thefts in a separate field, but UPD reported 27 bike thefts on campus as of two weeks ago.
Instead, it includes information from several departments — UPD, the Office of Student Rights and Community Standards, Housing and Residence Life, Student Affairs, student organizations and athletic director Tom Collins.
Mike Gillilan, director of Student Rights and Community Standards, compiled the report. He said he's impressed with the university's response to campus safety.
"It's important for individuals to be aware of their surroundings — walk with others at night, and not engaging in behavior that increases risks," he said.
Reporting offenses
Burton said there's no good explanation for the increase in arrest reports this year.
"Now if we have another increase, then we'll call it a trend," he said. "Maybe the kids in the residence halls are turning back toward more drug use than in previous years."
A decrease of more than 100 off-campus citations seems to suggest that students are drinking more in the residence halls than they do off campus, Burton said.
"Maybe ... They're staying in the residence hall and getting caught anyway," he said. "Neither one's going to be conducive to getting away with it."
Jerry McKean, associate professor of criminal justice and criminology, said UPD's efforts contribute to overall campus safety in a big way.
"I think they see that as a part of their mission to make sure that the students are protected from the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse, which can lead to assaultive behavior, thefts and, you know, the list goes on and on," he said. "So keeping a sort of lid on that is part of their mission of public safety."
It doesn't mean students shouldn't have fun, but maintaining order in the residence halls is important because it's so many people in one space.
"You're going to have to live together kind of in each other's laps," McKean said. "It doesn't take too many kids getting crazy rowdy to really spoil it for everybody else."
Alternative weekend fun
McKean said he's not sure if alternative programs like Late Nite and UPB events help curb drug and alcohol abuse. But he supports their missions nonetheless.
Kay Bales, vice president of Student Affairs, said it's these programs that provide an environment that encourages good choices.
"We take safety very seriously on this campus and work hard to educate students and help them make decisions that help protect their interests and well-being," she said in an email. "We're making progress, even as we realize the ongoing value of the programs we have in place."
Habayeb said attendance is on pace to surpass last year's numbers. So far, more than 10,000 people have attended UPB-sponsored events this school year.
"If I go down to the Village on a Thursday or Friday night, I don't notice that the bars are any less popular," he said. "I don't know how well it works or how well it doesn't work. It's certainly worth the effort, though."
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