Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Student Behavior on Campus

  • By Deb Moore
  • 05/01/10
In reviewing this year’s Living on Campus survey, I was quite frankly surprised at the number of comments we received on student behavior ⎯ ranging from alcohol use to lack of personal responsibility. This topic has come up before, but this year it seemed to be more top-of-mind.

Underage drinking has been a major problem on many college and university campuses for years. Studies suggest that between 1993 and 2001, approximately 44 percent of college students were heavy drinkers ⎯ for men, five or more drinks in a row (for women, four or more drinks) ⎯ on at least one occasion in the past two weeks. There is no question that alcohol use affects classwork and plays a role in poor grades, but far too often it also factors in accidents, injuries, vandalism, other crimes, and even tragedy on the college campus. Suggestions to improve this problem include working with local communities to ensure that alcohol is not served to underage or intoxicated students, monitoring fraternities to ensure compliance with policies and laws, restricting alcohol-related advertising on campus, keeping libraries and recreational facilities open longer hours, and disciplining repeat offenders.

Lack of personal responsibility is a more difficult problem to deal with. Unfortunately, this is one value that has eroded away not only on college campuses, but also in society at large. No matter what happens, or what role we played in what happened ⎯ it is always someone else’s fault. Blame it on violent movies, video games, being bullied in grade school, the coffee being too hot ⎯ but don’t blame it on me.  Many parents play a big role in encouraging this behavior. We even have names for them now ⎯helicopter parents ⎯ who pay extremely close attention to their child's experiences and problems, sometimes being overprotective, and always hovering; and lawnmower parents, mothers and fathers who attempt to smooth out and mow down all obstacles ⎯ including you!

Too many people have replaced good judgment and common sense with arrogance and entitlement. Paying college tuition gives students the right to a quality education. It does not give them the right to choose which of the university's policies they wish to abide by.


Featured

  • Harvard Announces Replacement Facility for Native American Program

    Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction will begin this spring on a new home for its Native American Program, according to university news. The 6,500-square-foot, all-electric building will stand three stories and serve as the central hub for the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.

  • Ohio State University Opens 26-Story Hospital

    The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center recently opened in Columbus, Ohio, standing 26 stories and covering 1.9 million square feet, according to a university news release. The project marks ten years of effort and is the university’s largest single-facility construction project ever.