Campus alcohol busts up slightly from 2008 -

Jurisdiction change adds to totals

This year has seen a slight increase in the number of on-campus underage alcohol incidents as compared to previous school years, although the cause of this increase remains unclear.

Since the beginning of the school year, there have been six reported incidents of underage alcohol possession on campus, according to police reports.

In 2008, there were no underage alcohol possession citations at this point in the year. At this point in 2007, there were three citations.

On-campus alcohol citations are handled by University police, a division of UNC’s Department of Public Safety.

DPS issues citations for having open containers on campus and obvious instances of underage drinking, said Randy Young, spokesman for UNC’s Department of Public Safety.

Young said he did not think that the increase was indicative of a larger trend.

“There does not appear to be an overwhelming increase in the number of citations we issued,” he said.

Young added that the increase could be attributed to changes in the department’s jurisdiction. The jurisdiction now includes Granville Towers, where several of this year’s citations were issued.

Granville had previously been under the jurisdiction of the Chapel Hill Police Department. Chapel Hill police issue citations for underage drinking independently of DPS.

Citations during large-scale events — such as football games, where open containers are not allowed — are also typical during the fall, Young said.

Police intervened in several alcohol-related instances at Kenan Stadium during the first two home football games. At least one individual was issued a citation for underage possession of alcohol, reports state.

Young said DPS does not plan on changing any of its policies regarding underage alcohol consumption, and he said the department is not concerned about the slight increase.

Young said they would continue to monitor trends and take further action if necessary.

“This is something we’d probably look at over a course of a year, and if it continued to escalate, we’d certainly be reviewing that,” Young said.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.