Alcohol related crimes surrounding students at Sam Houston State University have seen an incremental decrease since 2009, according to University Police statistics obtained by The Houstonian.
According to UPD reports, driving while intoxicated (DWI) and public intoxication (PI) reports saw a drastic increase between 2009 and 2012. However, both experienced an equal decline in reports from 2012 to 2014.
“I think [the decline] is a part of education,” UPD Lt. Standerfer said. “Students are getting smarter on making sure they have designated drivers afterwards.”
Most of the reports were documented on Sam Houston Avenue, 17th Street, Bowers Boulevard, Bobby K. Marks Drive, Sycamore Avenue and Montgomery Road. Along the major thoroughfares lie multiple bars including Shenanigans and Confettis Beach Club, The Jolly Fox, The Draft Bar and the Stardust Room.
Standefer said the majority of the reports involving alcohol related reports happen along major roads because most students recognize them as primary routes to navigate Huntsville. Nonetheless, other roads experience a large number of reports include avenues parting from major thoroughfares.
“You drive around in this town long enough you get to know shortcuts and it’s [students] just trying to find a way to get home,” Standerfer said.
Tuesday and Thursday nights are recognized as “party nights,” however Standerfer said the number of DWIs reported on Tuesdays have incrementally declined although Thursday reports remain high.
Yet, as the number of reports involving alcohol related incidents have declined, the student population at SHSU has seen a significant jump between 2009 and 2013. Fall enrollment in 2009 was tallied at 16,715 and surged to 19,210 in 2013, according to the SHSU fact book.
To compensate for the increase in student population, UPD has opened two additional officer positions, according to Standerfer. With additional officers, Standerfer said overall reports from UPD have increased, but have not included alcohol related incidents.
“You see our report numbers are going up, whether it’s medical calls or damaged vehicles, it seems like those go up and as those go up we have smaller time to enforce traffic violations and that’s how you stumble across DWIs.”
UPD Sgt. Candice Sherbenou echoed Standerfer and said the education of the dangers of drunken driving among students has helped with the decrease in alcohol related reports. Sherbenou is a head figure with UPD’s Community Outreach Program (CORE) that is designated to educate students about a variety of issues including alcohol, drug and sexual abuse.
“I feel like more people are requesting we come talk to them in their groups,” Sherbenou said. “As the issue is talked about more, hopefully it will make people think twice.”
Sherbenou said CORE and other programs within UPD are averaging three presentations per-week.
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Since 2004 the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative (ADAI) has acted as an education entity for students in regards to alcohol and drugs. ADAI Coordinator Edward Gisemba said the alcohol industry has had a “very large and profound” impact on student behavior with alcohol.
To encourage using designated drivers, ADAI has revamped its iDrive program in conjunction with local bars and clubs in Huntsville. The program offers free soft drinks for individuals who are designated drivers to incentivize students to continue to be safe.
However, Gisemba said SHSU and Texas are unique when it comes to transportation.
“The thing that really makes Texas unique is the fact that you have a lack of public transportation,” Gisemba said. “Sam Houston is not atypical from a lot of universities around the country. Party is an aspect of colleges essentially everywhere … since everything is spread out, coupled with the lack of public transportation, if you’re going to go out you have essentially no choice but to drive.”
To add different transportation options for students, Gisemba and ADAI are working to implement a car pool program, similar to Texas A&M’s Caring Aggies R Protecting Over Our Lives (CARPOOL) initiative. Gisemba said the program would be a free non-judgmental car service to ensure students have a safe way to get home.
Gisemba said he was met with SHSU risk management and legal counsel to cover liabilities but stressed student activity is imperative to move the program forward.
“Education is important but it’s not the end all be all,” he said. “We need to have permanent programs in place that are being managed.”
ADAI is offering an Alcohol and Drug Summit Friday in the Loman Student Center from 9 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Presentations include topics ranging from sexual abuse, drugs, alcohol, and the various effects each can have personally and professionally.
