SGA pushes for alcohol policy

The Student Government Association is working to garner the support needed to finally enact an alcohol emergency policy at UCF by semester's end.

The policy would protect underage students from school-enforced punishment if they call 911 for an alcohol-related emergency. However, the policy would not shield students from criminal charges for underage drinking.

A recent swell of support for the policy comes in the wake of the tragedy surrounding the death of Ann Hefferin. Although it remains unclear how the 18-year-old freshman died or if alcohol played a role, her roommate told the 911 operator that Hefferin had been drinking at a fraternity party earlier that night. The event is still under investigation.

Students who want to see an alcohol emergency policy at UCF say the chance to save a life should outweigh the need to punish underage drinkers.

"There are a lot of people who aren't here anymore because no one showed them mercy," senior public administration major Gregory Hampton said. "At the end of the day, it's a health concern."

Jon Schreur, a junior mechanical engineering major, said the policy is a good idea and will show that students can be more responsible.

"It's a way to protect students and show more interest in their well-being rather than their actions," Schreur said.

Michael Davis, SGA's director of student affairs, has been lobbying committees in the student senate to support the policy. He said the students and organizations he spoke with gave "very positive support" for the plan.

"The enactment of an alcohol emergency policy provides a comprehensive way to shift and redefine the culture and expectations placed on students and the university," Davis said on Sept. 8 at a senate meeting.

It is now up to the Governmental Affairs Committee to work with others to draft a resolution that can be placed as a referendum on the ballot for the upcoming senate elections. Enough votes in favor of the referendum would help SGA promote student backing for the policy.

"If a majority of students are in favor of it, then that's when we will continue to lobby with the administration, student conduct, as well as the Golden Rule Review Committee with hopes of getting AEP passed," Ashley Tinstman, SGA public relations coordinator, said.

Student Body President Matthew McCann said student government has tried for half a decade to get a policy like this passed.

Some past proposals were shot down because they resembled medical amnesty, a more controversial policy that would protect students who have preexisting medical conditions from other illegal action that prompts medical attention, not just underage drinking.

This time around, supporters are focusing their efforts on an alcohol-only protection policy.

"I'm in full support of medical amnesty," Davis said. "However, AEP has been pushed by SGA with the help of the student body for the past six years. If we all support AEP right now, we can get it passed by this semester and then we can set a foundation and some groundwork to pass medical amnesty in the future."

An alcohol emergency policy was passed by the Golden Rule Review Committee last term, but it did not earn the necessary final approval from Dr. Maribeth Ehasz, vice president of student development and enrollment services.

McCann said different bodies on campus are now tasked with creating a reformed version that will be "one for the ages." That means a policy with consistency and continuity from year to year.

"There's always going to be the discussion on what's the best language for the policy and where is the best place to house this policy," McCann said. "Outside of that, everyone is pretty excited about this and sees the benefits that this will have on the UCF campus."