Number of student alcohol violations already higher than last year's total

By Kristen Hoverman
The Collegian

An increase in alcohol citations this year is showing a large number of underage drinkers and alcohol violators as a result of stronger enforcement at Fresno State.

“I think many students have gotten comfortable in thinking people aren’t going to do anything,” said Fresno State Judicial Affairs Officer Robert Hernandez. “Problems of that nature are compounded.”

During the 2004-2005 academic year there were 26 alcohol citation cases and so far this year there have been 65 cases at Fresno State, Hernandez said.

Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), the University Police Department, the Fresno Police Department and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department are acting on a $100,000 grant for the increased enforcement of alcohol related disturbances on and around Fresno State, said Fresno County ABC Supervisor Christine Weldon.

ABC licenses and regulates alcoholic beverage agencies, such as the Save Mart Center, the Fresno State Winery and Bulldog Stadium.

“We then follow up to make sure they’re complying to the laws,” Weldon said, “including enforcement of any violation that occurs on the Fresno State campus.

“A vast majority of citations are given to minors at Bulldog Stadium during sports events. We’re always looking for ways to prevent it.”

Hernandez gave a general description of who police are watching.

“Plain-clothed and uniformed police are looking for people who appear to be under 21 who have alcohol on them, particularly around the fraternities and sororities,” he said. “Usually it’s a cup that they got from somebody’s residence. It is one of the most common violations of the student code. In most cases the student is under 21.”

Not all fraternities encourage alcohol consumption. Sean Ramirez, a 22-year-old criminology major, is a member of criminology fraternity Lambda Alpha Epsilon.

“We’re considered a dry fraternity,” Ramirez said. “We never drank as a fraternity.”

Instead, the fraternity has movie nights and coffee nights, Ramirez said.

ABC has a three-strikes law against the sale of alcohol to minors. The first two violations will result in fines of up to $20,000 and the third strike will result in the revocation of that business’ alcohol license.
Students cited for alcohol violations such as carrying open containers of alcohol or public intoxication must go to the Fresno County Court House where they may be fined for their actions.

“Students arrested for public intoxication often find themselves being taken to the drunk tank, a holding cell for people throughout Fresno County,” Hernandez said. “As the semester is progressing we are seeing a decrease. My main emphasis is for students to obey the law and be successful. Bottom line, we want our students to be safe and healthy as well as responsible.”

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