2008 Woodie Awards
UMPD says drinking a regular factor of campus violence
Kaitlyn Silva, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News
However, some students still doubt that alcohol is what ultimately leads to violence.
"It's a chicken and egg issue," said Zoe Crowley, a junior at UMass. "Does the alcohol cause the violence or are people who are easily violent more likely to drink?"
Crowley believes that violence is mainly an issue of temperament, making alcohol only one of many contributing factors.
"Especially people who drink in large groups at parties, where violence is most likely to occur," she said.
Archbald has also acknowledged that drinking isn't necessarily an issue under the appropriate circumstances.
"There is drinking on this campus by people over 21 who never cause a problem. They're responsible," he said. "We know there's drinking happening on this campus with people under 21 who don't draw attention to themselves. Even though they're breaking the law, they're not out to hurt anyone."
The UMPD currently has only one officer working in the area of community outreach and prevention, though Archbald hopes to see more officers involved in the area in the future.
"There's always different ways we can be approaching the problem," he said.
The department is working with other campus organizations to help open up discussion and prevent violence. Most recently, the UMPD has coordinated with the Not Ready for Bedtime Players to create an anti-violence skit shown in dining commons last week.
"We're trying to strike a balance between providing the students a good environment to learn in and allowing them to explore at the same time and branch out," Archbald said. "Although we understand that alcohol is going to be consumed by this age group, we still understand what our responsibility is and we're not going to back away from that responsibility."
Kaitlyn Silva can be reached at kmsilva@student.umass.edu.
"It's a chicken and egg issue," said Zoe Crowley, a junior at UMass. "Does the alcohol cause the violence or are people who are easily violent more likely to drink?"
Crowley believes that violence is mainly an issue of temperament, making alcohol only one of many contributing factors.
"Especially people who drink in large groups at parties, where violence is most likely to occur," she said.
Archbald has also acknowledged that drinking isn't necessarily an issue under the appropriate circumstances.
"There is drinking on this campus by people over 21 who never cause a problem. They're responsible," he said. "We know there's drinking happening on this campus with people under 21 who don't draw attention to themselves. Even though they're breaking the law, they're not out to hurt anyone."
The UMPD currently has only one officer working in the area of community outreach and prevention, though Archbald hopes to see more officers involved in the area in the future.
"There's always different ways we can be approaching the problem," he said.
The department is working with other campus organizations to help open up discussion and prevent violence. Most recently, the UMPD has coordinated with the Not Ready for Bedtime Players to create an anti-violence skit shown in dining commons last week.
"We're trying to strike a balance between providing the students a good environment to learn in and allowing them to explore at the same time and branch out," Archbald said. "Although we understand that alcohol is going to be consumed by this age group, we still understand what our responsibility is and we're not going to back away from that responsibility."
Kaitlyn Silva can be reached at kmsilva@student.umass.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Innocent Bystander
posted 4/07/08 @ 9:26 AM EST
> before entering the building and engaging in an
> armed fight with Vassell.
NO, this is not quite what happened. Vassell was armed with both a knife and a tire iron - HE was armed, no one else was, and the "armed fight" was actually an armed assault by Vassall upon two UNarmed men. (Continued…)
some person
posted 4/07/08 @ 10:40 AM EST
I'm skeptical about UMPD's commitment to making the campus safe.
Recently, UMPD answered questions at a meeting of Resident Assistants. Representatives of UMPD were asked if their current campaign sought to address issues of hate crimes and sexual assault. (Continued…)
Me
posted 4/07/08 @ 3:00 PM EST
I love how the UMPD is committed to making this a safer environment, and that there number one tactic is cracking down on the alcohol scene here. Maybe the University should look at the kinds of events that go on during the weekends here. (Continued…)
McKie
posted 4/07/08 @ 3:09 PM EST
The questions that the police need to really ask is:
"Does alcohol act as a causal aspect of these assaults, or do people just see it as an excuse?"
It is not news to say that underage drinking is illegal. (Continued…)
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