As more and more college students resort to substance abuse, California State University East Bay students weigh the pros and cons of the addition of a bar to the campus.
In a survey conducted by the Associated Students Inc. Grille Adhoc Committee, the nearly 3,000 responses showed mixed emotions regarding a bar on campus, said Saeed Gaston, a member of the committee.
The idea of a restaurant that served alcohol split the student body nearly in half. Fifty-four percent of students said they would like a place on campus that served alcohol safely, while 46 percent were not in favor of a bar on campus.
“I think the university should strictly be for studying. Alcohol is completely unrelated to our education,” a survey participant said.
Another student wrote, “Please don’t serve alcohol on campus. It would disrupt the school environment and safety of the students.”
Yet, Gaston believes a place that safely serves alcohol on campus will help to improve campus safety.
“Students would be able to walk home, instead of driving under the influence,” said Gaston.
Samantha Andres, chair of the Grille Adhoc Committee, says that the grille is one more step in building a welcoming, engaging campus.
“One of the seven mandates of our university is to build a vibrant campus community,” said Andres. “I feel that a grille would enhance student life.”
In 2010, 1,825 college students between the ages of 18-25 died from alcohol-related injuries, according to the Annual Review of Public Health.
“Substance use occurs on college campuses nationally,” said Jennifer Miranda, a health educator at Student Health Services. “Our campus rates have shifted along with the demographic change of the student body over the past few years. Our rates are at or below national averages.”
According to a recent study conducted by the Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Studies, 50 percent of college students engage in at least one binge drinking incident per month.
“Students resort to substance abuse as a coping mechanism to deal with stress or crisis situations,” said Miranda.
She added that students often come to college with the perception and expectations that college is a social atmosphere for drinking.
“College is all about meeting new people and experiencing new things,” said Roxanne Neely, 21, a senior at CSUEB. “Drinking allows you to have fun and leave the stress of college life at home.”
“I drink because it’s a social thing,” said Alisha Guzman, 23, senior at CSUEB. “At a commuter campus, there’s not much else to do.”
The Grille Ad Hoc Committee will continue to research the necessary steps required to establish a grille on campus, said Gatson.
