Sober warning over students (From The Oxford Times)

Sober warning over students

11:00am Monday 23rd January 2012 in Oxford By Fran Bardsley

Prof Michael Collins

All 200 students at an Oxford college have been forced to attend an alcohol awareness course after a string of booze-fuelled incidents.

Thirty bins at University College were reportedly filled with vomit by drunken undergraduates during booze binges, and two students ended up being taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Prof Michael Collins, dean of the college in High Street, said: “There was excessive drinking which was quite evidently more serious than in previous years, without a doubt.

“Undergraduates were being sick in bins and elsewhere and that’s not the sort of thing one really wants.

“We want to raise awareness and also, even for those who are more careful with alcohol, make sure everyone is fully aware of how they can help others who are heading for or getting into trouble.”

The incidents took place towards the beginning of last term.

All 200 first and second year students were required to attend one of two sessions earlier this month, which included a short video, PowerPoint presentation and talks from representatives of the emergency services and the SMART alcohol support service.

Prof Collins said no disciplinary action had been taken against any individuals – although he had suggested the two students who were taken to hospital should make a donation to a medical charity of their choice.

He said how alcohol awareness was tackled in the future was currently under discussion.

He said: “I’m not against the consumption of alcohol but more control is needed.

“The general sense is that there has been a significant increase in alcohol consumption but what the reason for that is, I don’t know.

“I would like to see a sea change in attitude.”

Mark Mills, who represents the ward on Oxford City Council, said it was up to the college how it promoted responsible behaviour.

He said: “Alcohol-related antisocial behaviour is a problem in large parts of the city.

“There is a need for general education.”

Elizabeth Mills, chairman of the Divinity Road Area Residents’ Association, believed having too much drink was in itself an important part of educating young people about their limits.

But she added: “Alcohol awareness is a good thing and it would be brilliant to see the other colleges following suit.

“Girls in particular need a better understanding of how vulnerable they make themselves.”

She said she believed students from families where social drinking was not the norm were most likely to overindulge.

Oxford Brookes University spokesman Ed Read said freshers attended workshops about moving away from home which covered alcohol awareness when they started university.

Penalties for misbehaving students at Brookes range from fines to expulsion or community service directed by the university.

In some instances students would be referred to external agencies such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Oxford colleges have individual arrangements.