Professors weigh in on the effect alcohol has on academics

Thursday night, or "thirsty Thursday" as commonly called by students, often starts the weekend at St. Bonaventure University.

For many students, a common way to spend weekends is by drinking alcohol. Students said they drink in dorm rooms, off-campus housing and bars.

While drinking may start on Thursdays for some, many classes don't end until Friday afternoon. Professors addressed the issue of student drinking in relation to attendance and performance in class.

"Any type of substance abuse will show," said David Levine, professor of computer science.

Levine said the university has a reputation as a drinking school but reputation does not always match the reality of the situation.

Some professors see differences in drinking habits today compared with when they were in school.

"Today it appears it is more about drinking to get drunk," said James Miller, lecturer in the school of arts and sciences.

"There is a difference in student drinking. When I was college age it wasn't about getting drunk. People would go out and drink a few beers, but it was about being social and having a good time," Miller said.

In order to combat potential absences in his Friday morning classes, Miller gives random quizzes that force students to attend class. And while he does not take roll each class, he said he does not see a noticeable drop in Friday morning attendance.

Dr. Ed. Simone, department chair of visual and performing arts, said he has seen a drop in attendance for his Friday morning classes. He said the decrease is not a drastic one, but there tends to be some students missing.

Former vice president of academic affairs Skip Saal suggested to faculty that they schedule tests and quizzes on Friday to cut down attendance issues, said Denny M. Wilkins, associate professor of journalism and mass communication.

In order to ensure that students are not skipping classes any day of the week, Wilkins has a strict attendance policy.

"If someone isn't in the hospital or has a dying relative and misses a class, the syllabus says they have a final grade lowered by half of a letter grade," Wilkins said. "Over the years, students have absented themselves into failing grades."

Since Wilkins came to the university in the fall of 1996, the average undergraduate grade point average has been between 2.8 and 2.9. Wilkins does not believe the GPA should be so low and may be a consequence related to some students' drinking habits.

Simone said, "The university may have the reputation of a drinking school, but it does not seem to be any worse than many universities."

"Drinking is present in college culture across the board," Simone said. "My godson and goddaughter say it's the same at their colleges. My colleagues say it's the same. It doesn't mean we should say 'oh well,' but it is not unique to Bonaventure."

"What concerns me the most," Simone said, "is the health and safety of students. It is easy to dismiss as 'oh well it happens everywhere,' but every year, students, not just here, end up injured, dead or otherwise damaged."

According to the university Web site, the school has 1,888 undergraduate students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1."On such a small campus we may notice (student drinking) more because we know so many people because the community is tight," Simone said.

"It makes me care more because I know students.