Haskell administrators will continue to focus on alcohol-abuse prevention programs following a weekend accident that killed three students.
Haskell Indian Nations University student leaders on Wednesday said their classmates overwhelmingly support a zero-tolerance alcohol policy at residence halls in the wake of an accident that killed three of their classmates on Sunday.
At the same time, they joined Haskell administrators in expressing sympathy to the families, friends and classmates of the eight people in the accident.
"Today our hearts are raw," Student Senate President Prentice Crawford said Wednesday at a news conference at Haskell.
"They are made fragile, they are filled with grief that this week, from Sunday morning on, has been one long, sad day that goes on and on and on," Crawford said.
Ray "Mike" Red Elk, 24; Yancy Longhat, 20; and Albert Whitebull, 25, died at the scene of the accident in North Lawrence. Police reports indicate alcohol contributed to the accident. A pickup truck driven by Manuel Brown, 20, rolled over when it hit railroad tracks near Maple Street.
Haskell administrative officer Marvin Buzzard said it's unknown whether the students did not return to their residence hall because of the policy.
"It's hard to know what's in the mind of another person when they make a decision," Buzzard said. "I can't say how that policy would impact an individual, but I do know we struggle with this issue. You struggle with whether or not you have policies that, in effect, enable certain kinds of conduct. You struggle whether or not you should have policies that restrict certain kinds of conduct."
The policy, enacted on campus about five years ago, refers to intoxication or possession of alcohol, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia. Buzzard said some students have been banned from residence halls because of intoxication, but not on the first infraction. Instead, students can be given a warning, or referred to a counselor or the Haskell Health Center.
"It's based on conduct," Buzzard said. "If a person comes in and may have had some beers and they go to bed, they won't get written up."
Haskell policies are reviewed annually, and Buzzard said he doesn't know whether the zero-tolerance policy will change because of the deaths. He said the policy will likely be reviewed soon.
Haskell Interim President Karen Swisher said the university would continue with Substance Abuse Strategies Education, an alcohol-abuse prevention program. The program was strengthened after a joint task force was formed last year between Haskell, Kansas University, Lawrence public schools and the city of Lawrence, she said.
"While we recognize that many of our students do not drink alcohol or have problems with alcohol use, we know that the effects of alcohol too often present a very serious problem in many areas of Indian Country, from which our students come," Swisher said.
"We also know that alcohol use and abuse is a very serious problem associated with college and university campuses across this country, not just at Haskell," she said. "Such a convergence of these phenomena may have resulted in the tragedy that occurred over the weekend."
Swisher read a statement from George Tiger, a member of the Haskell National Board of Regents.
"In its proud history, Haskell has withstood tragedies, obstacles and confrontations due to the strength of its family," Tiger wrote. "We will overcome this recent tragedy by drawing strength from each other."
Buzzard said that alcohol-abuse prevention efforts have fallen short of their mark but that they haven't been a failure.
"We believe this is an issue we can have victories on, and we know there are individuals that have turned their lives around," he said.
Kevin Gover, assistant secretary of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, also sent a letter, pledging redoubled efforts to end the "scourge of alcohol and drug abuse."
"We hope the students at Haskell and all of our young people will learn from this tragedy and realize that alcohol abuse and binge drinking can serve no purpose in the productive futures they are beginning at Haskell Indian Nations University," Gover wrote.
-- Chris Koger's phone message number is 832-7126. His e-mail address is ckoger@ljworld.com.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.