Many have wondered what has happened to socials on campus. Stories linger about the way campus socials were several years ago. An on-campus social was simply the place to be on a Friday or Saturday night. "Parties have changed since my freshman year," said senior Matt Cobis. "People used to be respectful of their environment, but now there is a competition to break things, and that just ruins everything." The Student Handbook defines a registered party as "any social gathering of students other than the resident(s) of the suite/hall where alcoholic beverages are being consumed."

Although various halls and brothers of Sigma Nu and Phi Kappa Tau fraternities have been sponsoring socials, and even theme socials, attendance seems to be low. Recently, when students have attended these socials, they have been ending early. "I don’t like parties on campus because they get broken up early because someone always has to start a fight," said freshman Megan Bronstein. No social can last longer than four hours, and all socials must end by 2 a.m. As stated in the college handbook, socials that are not conducted with regard to the guidelines of the alcohol policy may be terminated by Residence Life. "If there’s a fight outside, or if it appears a social is getting out of control, we are allowed to end the social early," said South Hall Resident Assistant Sharon Balabanis.

Five members of a suite or hall (two who are over 21) must sign a social contract in order to register their hall or suite. Once the social contract has been turned into Residence Life, Director of Residence Life Keith Moore considers the history of the individuals and the history of past socials on that hall. Potential hosts must meet with Moore to discuss the "do’s and don’t’s" of hosting a social. In addition, all advertisements for the social must also meet Moore’s approval before they are posted. Individuals who sign a social contract are responsible for all policy violations that may occur during the social. The hosts are also financially responsible for their suite or hall for the duration of the social. "These individuals are the hosts," said Moore. "They must have complete control during the social."

Moore believes that most students are interested in being responsible and hosts generally abide by social policies. Students believe that incidents are occurring frequently during socials which cause the socials to be closed down early. As a result, more students are finding local bars to occupy on Friday or Saturday nights instead of attending a campus social.

The United Methodist flag that hangs outside the Godwin Building, beside the American flag and the Commonwealth of Virginia flag, was stolen Jan. 28. This marks the second act of vandalism against a symbol of Virginia Wesleyan. It was exactly three months ago, on Oct. 28, that the John Wesley statue was vandalized, and it remains under repair. Security staffers have no leads as to who committed the theft and are skeptical that it will be returned. "It’s questionable as to who," said Director of Security Leo Therrien. "But I don’t place the blame on anyone as of right now." According to Therrien, the crime was committed after dark on Sunday. The flag was lowered instead of just cutting the rope, which prompts him to believe it was taken for a particular reason. The fact that the rope was not cut further leads him to believe it wasn’t just a malicious act.

The flag, valued at $100, has been on special order since the day it was discovered missing. School officials are hoping that someone will come forth and return the flag. "If someone took it as a practical joke, fine," said Therrien. "We just want it back." Security has collaborated with the Residence Life office to try and get the word out about the theft, but many people are still unaware it is missing. "I didn’t even notice it was missing," said junior Rod Gibson. "I was surprised that it was missing, but I haven’t heard anything about it." Many freshman who pass by the Godwin Building every day were also unaware that the flag was missing, which raises a question about how they are spreading the word. "It’s pretty stupid to steal that," said freshman Graeme Hartnett. "But all I’ve seen or heard is the fliers that were put up."

The Residence Life Office has explored every option to try and locate the stolen property and has addressed this issue to resident assistants, both by phone and in staff meetings. Fliers were hung in the residence halls, and both R.A.’s and non-R.A.’s were told to be observant. Because Wesleyan is a private college, the administration has more liberties than a public school; one tactic proposed was to search each individual room. However, that method will not be employed. "It was never really a reality for room-to-room checks," said Assistant Director of Residence Life Ryan Brown. "We have put the word out through our staff and are hoping someone will come forward." This is the latest high-profile theft since the Computer Service Office was broken into and a laptop computer and digital camera were stolen Jan. 8. No one has been charged with that theft, either.

If anyone knows anything about either incident, report it to the Security Office or Residence Life.

Last week a student at Virginia Wesleyan College was suspended from school after being found guilty of violating the college’s drug policy. "The confidentiality of this matter really prevents me from giving any details," said Dean of Students David Buckingham. "The only thing I can do is confirm that a student was found in violation of the college’s drug policy last week." According to the college’s student handbook, "The possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of prescription drugs is strictly prohibited on the property owned or leased by the college or at any college activity." The handbook also makes it clear that if students are found in violation of this policy, they can expect to be suspended or dismissed from the college.

Buckingham also confirmed that this particular student’s case was reviewed by the Community Arbitration Board (CAB) and the Community Review Board (CRB). The CAB and the CRB consist of seven people: three faculty members, three students, and Buckingham. As outlined in the student handbook, students found in violation of any policy on campus may be required to have their case reviewed by these board members. After reviewing a case, these members then determine the course of action to be taken against the student. According to Buckingham, the student in last week’s incident was found guilty and suspended. While he was unable to give any further details on the matter, Buckingham said that the college prints a monthly community newsletter, Day One, and that students could get information about this situation from this newsletter.

There is a section designed to report the current crimes on campus to the campus community. However, there has been no newsletter printed since July. "Since I have been here, this is the third drug violation I have seen," said Leo Therrien, who was hired as head of security four weeks ago. While Therrien said that while he doesn’t see this as a trend on campus, he does think that students should be made aware of what is going on. "I am sure that these incidents bother most students on campus," said Therrien.