Some students
see no drinking
problem at UH

A task force suggests policies
to control problem drinking

Some University of Hawaii-Manoa students said new proposals to combat on-campus drinking might be unnecessary.

"I don't think the school has a big drinking problem," said Christian Schaffer, 19, who lives at the Hale Noelani dormitory.

A task force comprising university students, staff, parents and community members has made about 20 recommendations to curb underage and binge drinking on campus. The proposals include a "three-strikes" policy for severe violations involving alcohol, vandalism and sexual assault. Those who commit three violations would be banned from living on campus.

"It's a matter that campus security deals with on a regular basis, primarily over the weekend," spokesman Jim Manke said of underage and binge drinking. "It's a nationwide problem."

The recommendations, which were made public yesterday, have been presented to Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert.

"We will be meeting with students and others over the next few weeks to hear their reactions and suggestions," he said in a press release. "In the meantime we will proceed with those administrative matters that we can put into place right away, and then hope to have the program fully implemented by the time the fall semester begins."

Other recommendations include:

One recommendation -- to make Hale Noelani alcohol-free and available solely for nonfreshman students under 20 -- will be implemented in the fall.

Jennifer Waller, residential life coordinator for Hale Noelani and Hale Wainani, said Hale Noelani has had a 30-year reputation as a "party place" for drinking.

But some students disagreed that such measures needed to be taken.

Jen, 20, who declined to give her last name, said the environment at Hale Noelani, where she lives, has improved in the last two years.

"It used to be a lot crazier," she said, noting that dorm parties spilled from students' apartments into the open-air hallways. "Everybody was falling all over themselves."

Now it is more tame, she said. "It's not out of control."

Guy Gonzalez, who turns 21 in September, was surprised to hear the university's plan to change part of the low-rise building at Hale Wainani to an alcohol-free residential facility.

Gonzalez, who lives in the G-building at Hale Wainani, had planned to apply for housing in the H-building for the fall semester when he reaches the legal drinking age.

"I was waiting a long time for this," said Gonzalez, who does not support the change.

About 1,200 of the 3,000 students housed at UH dorms live at Hale Noelani and Hale Wainani.

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