Nicholls State University, like many other universities, struggles with off-campus drinking.

Director of Student Life Tommy Ponson said in terms of off-campus drinking, a report is brought to Nicholls if the incident occurred off-campus and continued on campus.

“If the incident is a violation of the code of student conduct, the report must be looked into regardless of the student’s age, but there is no way for Nicholls to know which students drink off campus,” Ponson said.

A study co-authored by Amelia M. Arria, director of the Center on Young Adult Health and Development at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, showed that one-in-five college students admitted to drunk driving and that number rises dramatically once they reach the legal drinking age of 21.

The authors founds that while male students were more likely to engage in risky behavior. Both male and female students admitted to drunk driving.

While the administration of Nicholls cannot monitor the lives of students off campus, there are guidelines that must be followed for events involving organizations related to the university.

Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Eugene Dial said, “For example if there is a fraternity or sorority party off campus, the alcohol must be provided by a third party vendor and the legal drinking age must be enforced.”

There can be sanctions ranging from a warning to suspension if a student is caught in violation of the student code of conduct. If Nicholls administration is involved, the student will receive disciplinary actions that the administration sees fit.

University officials have no say as to what happens unless the incident happens on campus. Nicholls is a public state university, and what happens on campus is dealt with on campus. The Student Code of Conduct is followed for a violation that takes place on campus if it is drug or alcohol related or not. For the university to be involved in an off campus event there needs to be a valid reason. Examples may include an off-campus party or event and the student would deface school property as a result of his or her drinking.

The university technically cannot be held responsible for the lives of its students because the students are adults and will be treated as such. If there is an alcohol related death off campus, the most Nicholls can do is to send condolences to the family of the deceased, but as far as monitoring what goes on off campus, Nicholls cannot do anything until it affects the university directly.

Student Government Association President Adam LeFort said a student’s drinking off-campus can only be dealt with an organization the student belongs to.

“In terms of drinking on campus, there are resident advisors and University Police who monitor alcohol on campus.” LeFort said. “The perception of Nicholls off campus drinking varies because if it is from another student’s point of view, then it may seem like nothing, but if the student is skipping class to drink, that is considered a potential problem.”

College campuses all across Louisiana, as well as the United States have different policies for different things, but Nicholls cannot have much authority over what activities its students take part in off campus, be that a fraternity or sorority party or a family gathering. Nicholls can only interfere with the life of a student or faculty member if the violation occurred on campus.

If a student is underage and is caught drinking in a bar, the city police are the ones who issue the ticket and the district attorney is who will decide to prosecute the student.