3 STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT OF SCHOOL FOR GOOD

W&L task force on alcohol advocates tough new rules

"Our drinking culture is as old as the walnut trees on our front
lawn," said a member. "But this is an important first step."

Washington and Lee University students who
violate campus alcohol policies could be suspended or expelled next
fall under recommendations of a task force formed after two
alcohol-related student deaths last year.

The task force's draft report, released Thursday, also recommends
fines for fraternities that violate campus alcohol policies, a ban on
hard liquor at on-campus alumni events, and dry tailgate parties prior
to football games.

"We're trying to create a safer and healthier environment," said Tom
White, W&L's director of communications and a task force member. "Our
drinking culture is as old as the walnut trees on our front lawn. But
this is an important first step."

The recommendations are subject to change before a final version is
implemented for the 2001-02 school year. Faculty can make suggestions
at their monthly meetings, and three to five forums will be held for
students to voice concerns.

White said W&L has more serious alcohol problems than other
universities because of its rural location, extensive
fraternity-sorority system and large number of student athletes.

University President John Elrod established the task force in
November, about a month after two students died in an alcohol-related
crash following a fraternity party they had attended.

Elrod held an unprecedented student assembly at the time to denounce
the "culture of alcohol" at the university.

The university later suspended the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity for
providing alcohol to the students, Adam Burchett, 20, and Kristin
Shelton, 18.

Composed of students, faculty, alumni and parents, the nine-member
task force met twice a month.

Its recommendations call for a "three strikes" policy for students who
violate university housing alcohol policies; drive drunk or otherwise
endanger themselves or others through drunkenness; or supply alcohol
to underage students.

Alcohol is prohibited in freshmen dorms. Students 21 or older are
allowed to have alcoholic beverages in other university housing.

After the first offense, violators would receive counseling and their
parents would be notified. A second offense would lead to a
semester-long suspension, and after a third offense a student would be
expelled, according to the task force recommendations.

The task force also recommended a parallel system for Greek
organizations on campus. After one offense, a fraternity or sorority
would be fined $1,000 and be put on a two-week social probation,
meaning it could not host events. Two offenses would bring a $2,500
fine and a 12-week social probation, and a third offense would mean a
one-year suspension.

The task force also recommended that existing efforts to discourage
alcohol use on campus be continued.

Those include mandatory freshmen orientation programs that highlight
warnings about alcohol abuse, skits about college social issues and an
interactive computer program about the dangers of drinking.

There are also programs in place to provide transportation for
students who have been drinking.

The task force suggested moving football tailgate parties to the
sorority house colonnade area and making them alcohol-free. Official
university events attended by undergraduates would not serve alcohol,
and alumni functions could serve beer and wine, but no hard liquor.

"We sent out some trial balloons to the alumni," White said. "We got a
range of feedback, but it was mostly positive."

The task force also called for increased funding for non-Greek
organizations on campus, to provide social alternatives to traditional
fraternity and sorority parties.

"These are not draconian measures being handed down by the president,"
White said. "We've had a lot of outside input, and students knew about
some of these changes already. Most of these suggestions are not a
surprise."

The Alcohol Task Force will remain a permanent fixture at W&L and
address other issues on campus such as drug abuse, White said.