Drug, alcohol violations rise at SOU

By Julie French

"Drug and alcohol violations increased significantly at Southern Oregon University from 2006 to 2007, but university officials say it's the result of better enforcement, not more bad behavior..."

"In the past, if a staff member found an underage student with a bottle of beer, the student was asked to pour out the drink and told to make sure it didn't happen again, he said. Now, staff members sit down and discuss not only alcohol, but also how the student is handling classes and school in general..."

"[Jonathan Eldridge, vice president of student affairs] said the school has been able to head off problems before they escalated and forced students to drop out of school, which has resulted in better student retention rates. Occasionally, a student will be asked to take a break or leave school if behavior is 'egregious...'"

Full article available at http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081024/NEWS/8102...