Survey says? Parents unaware of
alcohol abuse By JULIE ECKER VWC students drink a lot more than their parents think they do, according
to a Residence Life alcohol survey.
In January, Residence Life sent out surveys about alcohol to students
age 23 and younger and to the parents of students age 23 and younger.
They were sent to 411 resident students and 595 commuters. Of the
residents surveyed, 263 (64%) surveys were returned and of commuters, 65
(10.9%) were returned.
The survey was a way to gain information about the amount of alcohol
students drink and how often they drink. They were also used to gain
a better understanding of how parents’ ideals and beliefs about drinking
differ from students’ ideals and beliefs.
The survey showed that 117 parents feel that their students would prefer
an alcohol-free campus and 131 said their students would not prefer an
alcohol-free campus. Of the students surveyed, 38 prefer a dry campus,
while 282 students do not.
When parents were asked how often they believe their son or daughter
drinks, 103 said their he or she does not drink, 37 said 1-2 times a year
and only three parents said three or more times a week. When students
were asked how often they drink, 44 said they don’t drink, 34 said they
drink 1-2 times a year and 53 students said they drink 3 or more times
a week. One parent wrote, “I really have no idea, I am ashamed to
admit,” on the survey below the question.
Lina Cottingham, director of Residence Life, said “It was not done
to get anyone in trouble, just out of curiosity.”
Questions regarding amount of alcohol, frequency of drinking, the consequences
of drinking under age and sanctions faced if caught were included in the
survey. One question on the survey sent to parents asked if they
wished to be notified of a first alcohol offense by their son or daughter.
The comparable question on the student survey asked if the student would
like his or her parents to be notified if they committed a first alcohol
offense. The result: 255 parents said yes, they wanted to be notified,
21 said they did not; 50 students said yes, they did want their parents
notified of an alcohol offense and 274 said no, they did not want their
parents notified.
Many parents commented that they were glad the survey was distributed.
Some students felt the survey was a way to check up on them. Most
students wrote comments such as “we are responsible adults” and “let us
make our own decisions.” Many students feel that it is up to the
parents to teach their children about the dangers of alcohol. One student
commented on underage drinking, “Anyone has the right to break the law
if they want to.”
“The survey was intended to create conversation between students and
parents about alcohol,” said Cottingham. “There is a difference in perception
of whether or not a student drinks.”
Residence Life plans to conduct the surveys annually in the future.
“We did all students out of interest this time, but we hope to do something
like this in the fall for orientation with the freshmen every year,” said
Cottingham.
Director of Health Services Linda Tisdale is launching an extensive
marketing campaign in an attempt to increase awareness of the dangers of
alcohol and binge drinking on campus.
Virginia Wesleyan, along with other schools such as James Madison University,
William and Mary and University of Arizona, were awarded grants to fund
the campaign by the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Commission, which covers
the next academic year.
Another survey will be sent out in April to students through their
advisors to determine amounts of alcohol consumed. Of the 800 surveys
to be sent out, 500 must be returned in order to obtain an accurate cross
section of the campus population.
“In theory, when people know actual figures, it tends to make their
choices healthier,” said Tisdale.
Tisdale said that the main goal of the campaign is to reduce the binge-drinking
rate, hopefully by 10 percent.
“It is not preaching, just accurate information on what to do,” said
Tisdale.
The survey will be repeated in 2000 in order to compare results with
the 1999 survey.
School invests $70 K in new library
system By TRICIA WOOD The Hofheimer Library will install a new computer system with an allotted
$70,000 for renovations by January 2000. This modern system will
be easier to use and will house more current, up-to-date information.
“We needed an update,” said Rene Perez-Lopez, director of the library
and vice president for information systems.
The former system was installed in 1989, making the technology 10 years
old. Library-Solution, developed by The Library Corporation (TLC),
is a fully integrated library automation system that will bring VWC into
the 21st century.
This system has many innovative features that current computers are
lacking.
“Students will have access to databases which will be updated every
night,” said Perez-Lopez.
Currently, when information is accessed on the computer, it’s not always
completely accurate and timely. With the implementation of Library-Solution,
when students look up a particular book, they will know the status of the
title and whether or not the book is checked out. This system will
be integrated and work simultaneously within the library. There will
be less reliance on CD-roms and the information will constantly be updated.
Perez-Lopez predicts that in two or three years the new library automation
system will be state-of-the-art. He feels the renovations to the
library are a continuing process in stages, for technology is always changing.
The renovations were approved when the $25 million fundraising campaign
was completed.
The library will not be able to undergo any renovations until the Godwin
administration building is completed. The existing offices in the
library, such as the Admissions Office, the Dean of Students’ office, the
Financial Aid office, Corporate and Foundation Relations and the switchboard,
will then be moved to the new building. Perez-Lopez felt the library
could not achieve its true potential until the other offices were moved,
allowing the library room to grow and flourish.
“The library never functioned like a library is supposed to,” stated
Perez-Lopez.
Currently the reference section and the circulation desk are one and
the same. The expansion will allow more room for the librarians to
assist students, and the reference section will dramatically increase in
size.
“There are specific things we are looking to obtain in the new space,”
explained Perez-Lopez.
One of the additions is a section containing a music book collection
with 38 recordings and sheet music. Also, students will have the
luxury of studying in private rooms located on the second floor of the
library, where the AV room currently exists. There will be 12 to
16 additional computer terminals and more shelving.
“We have managed to fill the gap,” said Perez-Lopez. “The future
is in the web-based individual researcher.”
The new computer system will be a learning process for all and will
demonstrate the power of technology. Though the advantages of modernization
of technology in our library are quite clear, one might wonder if the student’s
pocket will feel the effects in the future. Nonetheless, according
to Perez-Lopez, these changes were much overdue.
“Ten years is a long time to wait,” said Perez-Lopez. “It was
the right thing to do. We needed an update.”
