SCAPP report published
Rory McGonigle '12
Issue date: 2/25/09 Section: News
Before break, the results of the Special Commission on Alcohol Perception and Policy (SCAPP) were published. In the fall of 2007, Matt Bresnahan '08 noticed a change in culture in alcohol behavior among students from when he was a freshman. Bresnahan was curious to know why and how it has changed, so he put together the SCAPP Commission. At the end of the spring of 2008, he had a rough draft of the results. Arian Gower '09, the College Hearing Board Co-Chair, decided to clean up the draft and present it to the Wheaton community.
"The results show that there is a disconnect between PS and the way students perceive PS," Gower stated. "There has been a clear change in students' behavior. Another interesting find from the results is that we had a section of the survey asking about Wheaton's written alcohol policy by age group. We had the survey ask how 'under 21 students' responded and how '21 or older students' responded. There was actually not any discrepancy with the results."
In the report, over 75 percent of the student body believes that Wheaton's written alcohol policy is too harsh.
"We presented the results to Student Life. We have started talking about an ESSP (Earned Social Standing Policy). This is a program where students who have violated the Honor Code can earn back their social standings back through good behavior. This has encouraged Student Life to put on more social events that allow alcohol to be present."
Another interesting idea from the SCAPP report is to establish an amnesty policy. Under an amnesty policy, if a student calls PS for a friend who is in need due to the influence of alcohol, neither the caller nor the victim will receive disciplinary action related to the call. This way the victim will receive appropriate care without the worry of the being disciplined by Wheaton.
"In terms of the Honor Code, there's a disconnect between the Honor Code and the social component of drinking. Underage drinking is prevalent on any college campus."
Gower believes that students should not be avoiding calling PS in fear of disciplinary action. At the same time, however, Gower acknowledges the responsibility that we have as students with regard to alcohol behavior.
At the end of March there will be a debate about whether Wheaton should eliminate the social component from the Honor Code.
"The results show that there is a disconnect between PS and the way students perceive PS," Gower stated. "There has been a clear change in students' behavior. Another interesting find from the results is that we had a section of the survey asking about Wheaton's written alcohol policy by age group. We had the survey ask how 'under 21 students' responded and how '21 or older students' responded. There was actually not any discrepancy with the results."
In the report, over 75 percent of the student body believes that Wheaton's written alcohol policy is too harsh.
"We presented the results to Student Life. We have started talking about an ESSP (Earned Social Standing Policy). This is a program where students who have violated the Honor Code can earn back their social standings back through good behavior. This has encouraged Student Life to put on more social events that allow alcohol to be present."
Another interesting idea from the SCAPP report is to establish an amnesty policy. Under an amnesty policy, if a student calls PS for a friend who is in need due to the influence of alcohol, neither the caller nor the victim will receive disciplinary action related to the call. This way the victim will receive appropriate care without the worry of the being disciplined by Wheaton.
"In terms of the Honor Code, there's a disconnect between the Honor Code and the social component of drinking. Underage drinking is prevalent on any college campus."
Gower believes that students should not be avoiding calling PS in fear of disciplinary action. At the same time, however, Gower acknowledges the responsibility that we have as students with regard to alcohol behavior.
At the end of March there will be a debate about whether Wheaton should eliminate the social component from the Honor Code.
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