Spring Break
Problems still prevalent with alcohol in Eau Claire
UW-Eau Claire's "Let's Do Lunch" series draws an older crowd to discuss student drinking
Lindsey Lewandowski
Issue date: 12/1/05 Section: Campus News
This semester, Jodi Thesing-Ritter, associate dean of Student Development and Diversity, said she has received criticism that it's the individual who chooses to drink, and it's the individual who suffers the consequences.
At a noon luncheon Wednesday in Sweetwaters Restaurant and Bar,1104 W Clairemont Ave, she said the actions of an irresponsible drinker don't just affect that person - "It costs the community."
The luncheon, hosted by the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association, was held as part of the "Let's Do Lunch" series and drew 11 attendees, none of them students.
Thesing-Ritter said it's important to involve the community in addressing high-risk drinking.
"It's important for us to do things like this," she said.
Thesing-Ritter and Melodee Hoffner, the Center for Alcohol Studies and Education project coordinator, presented alcohol-related statistics during the talk.
According to the center's records, 16 percent of male and female Eau Claire students have had run-ins with police, residence halls or other authorities; 37 percent have driven while under the influence of alcohol; 39 percent got into a fight or an argument; 4 percent seriously have thought about suicide and 19 percent have been hurt or injured.
"Things are being done differently," said Ralph Hudson of Eau Claire. "(I hear): 'We've all done that.' No, you didn't do that."
Barbara Gosch of Eau Claire said that part of Wisconsin's draw is its education system - specifically UW-Madison and Eau Claire.
Gosch also said she was shocked to learn that between 2001 and 2002, 31 percent of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence.
She said she always had thought of adults as alcoholics - not college students.
Thesing-Ritter said she has heard things such as "kids will be kids" and "it's a rite of passage"
"We ... have to change that perspective," she said. "It's not a rite of passage."
The way to make a change in students' drinking habits is to reach their parents, said Bob Sinz, an adjunct instructor of underage drinking courses at Chippewa Valley Technical School.
"When you do something wrong for so long," he said, "you don't know the difference between right and wrong. I think it has to get to the parents."
| "We ... have to change that perspective. It's not a rite of passage." -Jodi Thesing-Ritter Associate Dean of Student Development and Diversity |
At a noon luncheon Wednesday in Sweetwaters Restaurant and Bar,1104 W Clairemont Ave, she said the actions of an irresponsible drinker don't just affect that person - "It costs the community."
The luncheon, hosted by the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association, was held as part of the "Let's Do Lunch" series and drew 11 attendees, none of them students.
Thesing-Ritter said it's important to involve the community in addressing high-risk drinking.
"It's important for us to do things like this," she said.
Thesing-Ritter and Melodee Hoffner, the Center for Alcohol Studies and Education project coordinator, presented alcohol-related statistics during the talk.
According to the center's records, 16 percent of male and female Eau Claire students have had run-ins with police, residence halls or other authorities; 37 percent have driven while under the influence of alcohol; 39 percent got into a fight or an argument; 4 percent seriously have thought about suicide and 19 percent have been hurt or injured.
"Things are being done differently," said Ralph Hudson of Eau Claire. "(I hear): 'We've all done that.' No, you didn't do that."
Barbara Gosch of Eau Claire said that part of Wisconsin's draw is its education system - specifically UW-Madison and Eau Claire.
Gosch also said she was shocked to learn that between 2001 and 2002, 31 percent of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence.
She said she always had thought of adults as alcoholics - not college students.
Thesing-Ritter said she has heard things such as "kids will be kids" and "it's a rite of passage"
"We ... have to change that perspective," she said. "It's not a rite of passage."
The way to make a change in students' drinking habits is to reach their parents, said Bob Sinz, an adjunct instructor of underage drinking courses at Chippewa Valley Technical School.
"When you do something wrong for so long," he said, "you don't know the difference between right and wrong. I think it has to get to the parents."
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