Seminar offers student-safety tips to family members

Binghamton University officials covered a variety of safety-related topics during orientation to quell potential concerns held by family members of incoming freshmen.

Held on July 25 in Watters Theater, the Supporting Your Student seminar was hosted by several University representatives and included information on health and wellness, University Police protocol and more.

Madeline Bay, deputy chief of police, educated family members on topics including common crimes committed, victimization prevention, the hazards of drinking and drugging, UPD policies and procedures and general student conduct.

“Education is what student conduct is all about,” said Bay. “We’re not just police officers, we’re educators. There are times when a student can be kicked out of housing or kicked out of school for something very severe, but most of the time, we try to make it educational.”

This non-punitive approach allows for teachable moments instead of criminal records. For example, if a student is facing a life-threatening, alcohol-or drug-related situation, the University Police Department’s priority is the individual’s safety, said Bay. “We don’t care how old they are or the alcohol and drugs surrounding them. Our first concern is for the student’s well being and providing them with the care that they need. They’re not going to get arrested.”

Many freshmen are unaccustomed to the potential dangers associated with alcohol and drug abuse, said Bridget McCane-Saunders, associate director for health education, and because of this, overconsumption is a priority concern. “Social perception is a challenge, as many students feel that they have to drink to fit in, but this is simply untrue,” she said.

A series of surveys by the American College Health Association indicates that over 36 percent of students nationwide have not used alcohol within the last 30 days and 20 percent reported never using at all, so not everybody is doing it, McCane-Saunders said.

Using alcohol-spiked punch as an example, McCane-Saunders explained how easy it can be for an inexperienced drinker to over consume in a short period of time, estimating that just one cup of punch can have upwards of four shots per serving. “They have one cup in five to 10 minutes and then they get a second serving. Now they’ve consumed maybe eight drinks in a very short period of time,” she said.

The University also provides services for interpersonal violence prevention, including for sexual assault, and can link students to support systems both on and off-campus. With respect to sexual activity, McCane-Saunders said, “affirmative consent – a mutual decision between all parties involved — must be present.

“Consent to one act does not constitute consent to another,” said McCane-Saunders. “You need to have a yes, which can be withdrawn at any point and cannot be given if incapacitated.” The University offers the tea video to better illustrate this point.

Beth Riley, assistant dean of students, discussed fraternity and sorority life, urging parents to be wary of first-semester pledging, as freshmen are ineligible to pledge until the spring semester.

“There is a list of all fraternities and sororities that are recognized by the University on the web, and if they’re not University sanctioned, that’s a code word for ‘be cautious,’” Riley said. “The non-sanctioned groups are not under our purview and typically, they’ve either been part of the University and been asked to leave or they’re an underground group that is quite often unsafe.”

Riley is also director of Case Management Services, which is an office for students grappling with a problem. “Whether it’s something going on at home, issues with their family, their peers, or maybe they’re just struggling with an instructor and they don’t know how to navigate the situation, we can help them find the resources they need,” she said.

Director for Health and Counseling Noel Feik covered health-related topics including the Decker Student Health Services Center and the University Counseling Center. With the Counseling Center staffed with mental health practitioners including psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers, the University is well prepared to handle any situation that may arise, offering same-day services for crisis situations. “We’re also staffed with physicians, nurse practitioners and RNs,” Feik said.

Jeremy Pelletier, assistant director of services for students with disabilities covered the various types of disabilities that students may have, including brain, dexterity, visual, psychological and writing; the difference between college and high school with respect to documentation of a disability; and services provided by both the University and outside sources.

“Documentation varies based on the nature of the student’s disability,” Pelletier said. “IEPs and 504 plans from high school are no longer sufficient for documenting a disability. We need testing where we can see the functional impact of the disability.”

“Students must also self-identify with this office,” he added. “They are in the driver’s seat for their accommodations and must learn to advocate for themselves.”