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Show THE UNIVERSITY JOURNAL• SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY • WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1998 Alcohol use believed to be on rise·here By VERONICA GARNER ASSOC IATE EDITOR According to the Alcohol Free Campus Law, no alcoholic substances are permitted on a state-run college campus in Utah. However, many students feel this law doesn't apply to them. "We know that alcohol is more widely used than what is actually caught," said Campus Police Officer Rick Brown. "We've only made four or five busts in the dorms this year [no more than average]." Statistics have recently shown that on college campuses across Utah, the number 0£ students consuming alcohol has risen 10 percent from last year whereas, instances of crime on Utah campuses has decreased. The Wellness Center is currently conducting a survey to see how SUU measures up. "Our campus has not risen, and it has not decreased in the area of alcohol," said Brown. Wellness Center Director Craig Forman said that he hasn't noticed a significant increase either, but knows that alcoholism among students is a problem. "Very few students live in the dorms, and those are really the only students we deal with here, unless the student comes in on their own initiative," said Forman. Those students who are caught with alcohol on campus are generally reported to the authorities by other students. Brown said Campus Security will receive a call from other residents in the dorms complaining about noise, sometimes that results in a bust of students consuming alcohol. When students are caught, said Brown,. they are issued a minor in possession (MIP) citation, which carries a $250 fine and a visit to court. However, after dealing with the law, students then have to face the campus rules. Director of Housing and Residence Life Neuman Duncan said when a student is caught in possession of alcohol there are three steps of discipline are taken . "When caught, the student is referred to the Wellness Center for an hour of drug and alcohol counseling. The second violation will result in probation and 10 hours of counseling. The third violation results in eviction," he said. Duncan said he is not aware of any evictions that have occurred this year, or in recent years. "We obey the state law and maintain that if there is alcohol being used on campus, we take care of the problem. We're not a gestapo, we don't do room searches. It's pretty obvious if they're drinking," said Duncan. Duncan said that it's almost expected that there will be a few occurrences of possession of alcohol every year. "The problem is that there's more out there that hasn't been caught." THE CAMPUS Ole! funior Cory Anderson, a Spanish/ international business maior from Needles, Calif., was among the many students who attended last night's Cinco De Mayo Fiesta in the Ballroom of the Shaiwan Smith Center. The event was hosted by SUUSA, the Multicultural Center, and Food Services, which_.also offered a gala lunch earlier in the day. The event gave students an opportunity to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine, view presentations and to dance to the music from the live band. Business departtnent to a~d new tnajors By JANELLE PHILLIPS JOURNAL STAFF WRITER Among the many changes as SUU moves toward the semester conversion, new majors will added to the business department. John Groesbeck, business department chair, said, "We are m~>Ving away from the emphasis towards majors ,which will give the students stronger recognition of their chosen programs of study." Instead of just having an emphasis under the previous administration and accounting majors, next year students will be able to receive a bachelor's of accounting, finance, management, management information systems, or a managerial economics and marketing degree. The general business major option under the management degree will still be offered for those who wish to pursue that major. Groesbeck said the business department faculty have restructured the curriculum and added several new classes including Government and Business, Risk and Insurance, and The Economics of Organizations and Industries. "In developing the new curriculum, we surveyed all of our existing students, as well as business and accounting alumni for the last five years. We also sought input from potential employers," said Groesbeck. He said the students, employers, and alumni all aided in making the decision and got what they wanted. Also, there will be a three new faculty members added to the business department. However Groesbeck said the additions were not due to the change in the majors or the addition of new classes. ' School bond election passes Students urged "The passage of the bond means a great deal to the university," said Bennion. "It's a major, major tum SENIOR STAFF WRITER of positive events for the university and for the school district. Area voters yesterday approved a "We have an agreement that we $32 million bond to provide the would be able to start building a Iron County School District with new P.E. Building about a year from funds to finance building now," said Bennion, adding that improvements, including the the project still needs to be funded construction of a new high school. by the state legislature. The passage of the bond will also Funds for the purchase of the allow SOU to acquire the middle middle school property-some $4.6 school property north of the million-were appropriated by the university, which has been 1998 Legislature, and the designated as the future site of a university is seeking another $3.4 new Physical Education Building. million in gifts to acquire the land. The final tally was The bond's passage ~!so me.ans overwhelmingly in favor of the the middle school will most likely bond's approval with about 65 become the primary facility for the percent of ballots being cast for the College of Education, house the issuance of bonds to 35 percent university's printing and against. The overall voter turnout publication functions, and be used for very low at about 24 percent of for general classroom and faculty registered voters going to the polls. SUU President Steven D. Bennion office space. Bennion said that he and others anticipate these expressed his approval of the relocations to take place in August election results late last night from or September of the year 2000. his home. By GLENN HALTERMAN to seek advisement before registering Students who may wish to use the 199899 SUU General Catalog to assist them in class planning on the semester system will have a slight problem. Registration begins on Monday, May 18; however, the catalog will not be printed and delivered until June. Director of the Student Development Center Judy Bonniksen said that students will be able to obtain assistance in planning their fall class schedules from several areas. "Incoming freshman will have resources at orientation. Continuing students can receive academic advisement from an adviser in their major, or here at the center. We also have a general education catalog that can help students in those class requirements," she said. Bonniksen suggests that students speak with their advisers to plan their schedules, as well as make a graduation agreement that all credits from the quarter system will be transferred. · |