CCU President discusses recent string of student troubles

Tuesday morning, Coastal Carolina University President, Dr. David DeCenzo, spoke to the press after another 2 student arrests were reported last evening.  He says he met with “…key administrators and security personnel,” on what University officials plan to do in order to move forward.  He also says the University is taking important steps to curbing alcohol abuse going on around campus. 

Statement from Dr. David DeCenzo:

Coastal Carolina University is one of many universities across our nation
grappling with solutions to student possession and distribution of alcohol
and drugs. Last year we implemented a campus sweep for drugs that resulted
in serious penalties for illegal consumption. In nearly every recent
incident of violence or in nearly every recent incident of the suspension of
an athlete, alcohol use was involved. I met this morning with key
administrators and security personnel. We have begun several important steps
to curb alcohol abuse among Coastal Carolina University students. Through
the campus judicial system, we’ve charged 29 students this past
month for off-campus alcohol violations. This is already more than for the
entire spring semester last year.

Initiatives put in place this fall include more stringent enforcement of
underage drinking at tailgate parties, stricter sanctions for students who
violate the alcohol policy, and suspension of Greek organizations that
violate the alcohol policy.

Several weeks ago, we wrote all enrolled students and parents about the
University’s serious stance on alcohol abuse. This campaign will also
require taking action against upperclassmen who buy alcohol for underage
students. Another element of the campaign is to stop excessive consumption
that puts students and others at risk. This includes behavior that may lead
to public disorderly conduct.

Thousands of students on our campus work hard, maintain their composure even
under pressure, graduate, take good jobs and make all of us very proud.
It’s unfortunate that a series of alcohol-related arrests embarrass them,
especially when most of them are doing their best every day. I want to
preserve community regard for these good students, and find a way to help
those who thoughtlessly put themselves and others in harm’s way through
alcohol consumption.

Here’s what I propose:
- We will alert students and local stores that the University has a zero
tolerance for alcohol sales to underage students. We will not become our
state’s party school. This semester we will monitor local alcohol sales and
bring legal action against those who sell to underage students.
- To enhance evening and weekend programs on campus, we’re installing lights
on our intramural game fields and adding events on weekends.
- In campus housing, we will develop a bag-check process to confiscate
alcohol as students enter. We’ll also increase security patrols.
- We’ll ask senior administrators and counselors to talk with students about
what they can do to reduce alcohol-related incidents, including assault, DUI
and public disorderly conduct. We’ll also step up alcohol abuse recognition
training among residence hall staff.
- Another method with potential for unifying the campus will tap
upperclassmen to mentor freshmen. Freshmen look up to juniors and seniors.
When upperclassmen lead them in the right direction, freshmen will follow.
We’ll ask upperclassmen to help educate freshmen. This camaraderie will be
good for all participants, and may open the door to discussing issues with
substance abuse.

Here’s my approach:
Increased campus awareness of alcohol abuse is likely to bring more problems
to light before we see a reduction in the overall number of problems.
Addressing this issue of alcohol abuse takes time. Retailers who sell to
minors will be upset. Those parents who refuse to confront their child’s
alcohol abuse won’t like these new measures. So I’m prepared to hear a
number of complaints until we successfully reduce the number of
alcohol-related incidents on our campus. But Coastal Carolina University
will create an environment that helps students address their problems. To
some students, I may sound like a strict parent, but the end result will be
a safer campus that enriches student life and enhances the reputation of our
graduates.

Finally I want to commend the Athletic Director Warren Koegel and our
excellent Coaches David Bennett and Alan Connie for their support the past
several weeks. Student athletes will play a major role in helping us solve
the problems on our campus, and these coaches support this goal.

I’m pleased to introduce SGA President Trevor Arrowood, who brings the
student perspective to this plan. After Trevor speaks, I’ll be glad to take
questions.

Statement from CCU Student Government Association President Trevor Arrowood:

As student leaders, we feel that we have a responsibility to speak out on
recent incidents involving Coastal Carolina University students.  We are
extremely disturbed to hear reports of drug use and distribution, sexual
assaults, physical assaults and DUI arrests. These actions demonstrate
disrespect for the University community and to the entire student body. The
actions of a few do not define who we are as an institution or as students.
When we select Coastal Carolina University as our University of choice, we
join a community.  Being a member of this community is a privilege and
should not be taken for granted.  We are expected to uphold the standards of
conduct set by the University. The Code of Student Conduct states that when
living in a community you are required to depend upon the knowledge,
integrity and decency of others. These standards will guide us over time and
will be a great asset for us when we leave this community and become a part
of another. When students violate these standards, they should be
accountable for their actions.
We are in full support of the efforts of the administration to make our
campus safer. This year the University has enacted a Zero Tolerance policy
for drugs and weapons, developed a sexual assault policy and a campus-wide
education program, and implemented a new University alcohol policy to
include enhanced enforcement of alcohol misuse at tailgating and at student
organization off-campus events.
Now it is our turn to join the administration in these efforts.  As a
continuation of President DeCenzo’s Operation Safe Campus campaign, the
Student Government Association will sponsor a series of programs and events
to improve safety awareness on campus.  We urge students to join us in
taking responsibility for their behavior and in taking an active role in
these student-led programs.