Wisconsin university considers alcohol ban in dorms, even for students 21 and older

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STEVENS POINT, Wis. — One year after a student drowned in a river after a night of drinking, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is considering banning alcohol consumption in the dorms, even for students of legal drinking age.

The school currently requires incoming freshmen to complete an online alcohol-education program. Students caught committing their first drinking offense are also required to attend a class to educate them on how alcohol can affect their health and study habits, according to a Stevens Point Journal report.

But officials with the city and university are collaborating on additional options intended to help curb alcohol abuse on campus.

“We wanted it to be a university-city relationship,” Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Al Thompson said, “not just a university plan.”

Other options under consideration include levying fines, hosting additional classes and launching a marketing campaign.

The options stop short of kicking students out of school for too many offenses, a plan that Stevens Point Police Chief Kevin Ruder said might be worth considering. He noted that when his officers issue alcohol-related citations, the offense is generally preceded by other crimes such as vandalism or public urination.

“If it's a case that's severe enough, enrollment should be a concern if these students aren't being good neighbors,” Ruder said.

Thompson wasn't willing to go quite so far. He said the university wouldn't want to set a specific policy that mandates expulsion after a certain number of alcohol-related offenses. He said the school would continue to evaluate each student on a case-by-case basis.

Eric Duffey was celebrating his 21st birthday when he disappeared March 3 after leaving a Stevens Point bar. His body was found two days later in the Wisconsin River. His blood-alcohol level was 0.196 percent, or more than twice the legal limit for driving.

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