University educates students on alcohol, sells branded shot glasses
The CMU Bookstore offers a variety of shot glasses for sale on Dec 4, 2015.
A total of $6,757 in bottle openers, shot glasses, beer mugs and other alcohol-related accessories was sold in the Central Michigan Bookstore as of Nov. 18. This is a decrease from last year's $7,955 in sales during the same time.
The bookstore sells more than 20 items related to the consumption of alcohol. However, these items are obviously a fraction of the bookstore's sales, said Bookstore Director Barry Waters.
"This portion makes up only about 15 percent of our total glassware/water bottle sales," Waters said.
These items come with either the "Action C" logo or other CMU branding. Any student can purchase these items.
Simultaneously, CMU takes steps to educate students on alcohol and responsible use.
AlcoholEDU, an online education course that is mandatory for incoming freshmen, has been used for the past four years.
Soon, this program will be phased out of orientation sessions in favor of Campus Clarity, a program that educates students on alcohol and other topics such as Title IX and violence against women. New freshmen will see the program fall 2016.
"First and foremost, we think it's important to educate students on those two topics, The Violence Against Women Act and Title IX," said Associate Director of Residence Life Michelle Veith. "Also it's a requirement of the federal government to offer training on those subjects."
Other alcohol education efforts are found in residence halls, such as "Sober in October" and programs within individual halls.
"Hall directors and conduct proceeding officers also do that and really talk through and make sure there are resources to get on the right path," Veith said.
Representatives from CMU and the City of Mount Pleasant go door-to-door before events like St. Patrick's Day and Welcome Weekend, to remind students to drink responsibly.
"We want our students to be safe, we truly want everyone to live to see the next day," Veith said.
The Office of Student Conduct handles alcohol and other substance violations within residence halls.
"Students come into campus with a lot of varying familiarities with alcohol," said Director of the Office of Student Conduct Tom Idema. "Some have been drinking before they get here, some have never had a drink. We need to educate students to keep them safe."
Students found in violation of alcohol policy in residence halls are fined $200 for their first offense, $300 and are placed on academic probation until graduation for the second and face suspension after a third offense.
In addition to punitive action, steps are taken to educate students who violate university policy, including a modified online alcohol education program with an additional $15 dollar fee.
"Even students who make some poor decisions and end up being sanctioned for it, we make sure they have all the opportunities they possibly can to learn to be safe and make good decisions," Idema said.
Detroit sophomore Karriem Ali was unaware the bookstore sold alcohol-related items. From his experience as a student, Ali said he has been encouraged to drink responsibly by the university, but that the message can be confusing.
"They do try, they more encourage us not to drink than tell us not to," he said. "But it's like they're promoting it."
