Senate creates special comission to explore alcohol policy
Caitlin Libby
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: News
In response to growing student concerns of changes in the alcohol policy the Senate approved the creation of the Special Committee on Alcohol Perception and Policy (SCAPP).
Chaired by Honor Code Chair Matt Bresnahan '08, the comission hopes to "accurately ascertain the Wheaton community's perception of alcohol its impact on the community, its frequency of use [and] its level of importance to socializing."
The commission, says Bresnahan, was brought about by his finding after a summer away from Wheaton that "…the social scene felt different, students were going off campus, it felt radically different and I wondered why."
Bresnahan explained that he feels some seniors, including himself, have "noticed not just a change from semester to semester but a large change from when we were freshmen to when we became seniors," in the policy.
Consisting of seven members, which includes two students and four senators-at-large including individuals who don't drink to be selected by application, the SCAPP will be conducting research through talking to students, staff, faculty and the administration.
"In the beginning we will be talking to as many students, faculty and staff as possible. We will be having a campus wide survey and have conversations with as many people as possible."
The SCAPP will also be researching other peer institutions's alcohol policies and comparing their policies to Wheaton's and using empirical data to examine the alcohol policy.
Ultimately the commission plans to "publish a report that accurately chronicles the entire Wheaton communities perceptions of alcohol."
Bresnahan stressed, "It's important to note that we don't only want to talk to students. The usage of alcohol is a hot-button item to everyone, not just students"
Chaired by Honor Code Chair Matt Bresnahan '08, the comission hopes to "accurately ascertain the Wheaton community's perception of alcohol its impact on the community, its frequency of use [and] its level of importance to socializing."
The commission, says Bresnahan, was brought about by his finding after a summer away from Wheaton that "…the social scene felt different, students were going off campus, it felt radically different and I wondered why."
Bresnahan explained that he feels some seniors, including himself, have "noticed not just a change from semester to semester but a large change from when we were freshmen to when we became seniors," in the policy.
Consisting of seven members, which includes two students and four senators-at-large including individuals who don't drink to be selected by application, the SCAPP will be conducting research through talking to students, staff, faculty and the administration.
"In the beginning we will be talking to as many students, faculty and staff as possible. We will be having a campus wide survey and have conversations with as many people as possible."
The SCAPP will also be researching other peer institutions's alcohol policies and comparing their policies to Wheaton's and using empirical data to examine the alcohol policy.
Ultimately the commission plans to "publish a report that accurately chronicles the entire Wheaton communities perceptions of alcohol."
Bresnahan stressed, "It's important to note that we don't only want to talk to students. The usage of alcohol is a hot-button item to everyone, not just students"
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