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Could religion curtail college party life?
By LARRY MITCHELL - Staff Writer
Some local religious leaders wondered this week if they could help change the hard-partying behavior of Chico's college students.
Their thinking was inspired by hearing a Chico State University official describe just how common binge drinking has become locally.
"We are awash in alcohol," Rick Rees, associate director of student activities at Chico State, told members of the Chico Area Interfaith Council Wednesday.
Members of the council, who represent local religious groups, wondered if they might help by involving students in the activities of their congregations.
Rees suggested perhaps they could.
But the challenge is daunting, he said. "When it comes to binge drinking, "we are ranked right up in the top tier" of colleges.
He was invited to speak because members of the council were concerned about some high-profile events during the last school year.
Rees ran through those events.
In the fall, a student died in a crash that happened when he and others were coming back from a party at the Sacramento River.
In the spring, a student at a fraternity pledge event drank so much he came as close to dying as is possible.
Also, in the spring semester, a fraternity pledge, Matthew Carrington, died as a result of hazing activities.
And after that, members of a fraternity participated in making a pornographic film that a company then sold over the Internet.
This has been one of the most disturbing times in the university's history, Rees said.
There are some encouraging signs, however, he noted. The university is going to be much stricter with fraternities and sororities. Students themselves are realizing the irresponsible behavior must stop because of the human cost and the fact all the bad publicity "devalues their degrees," he said.
Also, the university and the city are cooperating much more than in the past to address the problems.
But no one should expect instant change, he said. "We suspect things might get worse before they get better."
Rees, who has worked at Chico State for many years, said the current group of college students stands out both by being very bright and having a surprisingly "cavalier attitude toward authority."
Given the environment in Chico and the campus' reputation for heavy partying, the disturbing behavior that's been seen lately isn't so surprising, he said.
Within a mile of campus, there are 56 establishments that sell alcohol, he said. At certain times, like Friday evenings, drinks are amazingly cheap. In addition, few classes are scheduled in the afternoons on Thursdays and Fridays, which sends a message to students.
"The culture is you come to Chico and then you look for a party. That's what we're teaching them to do," he said. "We need to quit that."
In fact, a significant percentage of freshmen arrive at Chico State already in the habit of binge drinking, he said.
Members of the council asked Rees if he thought they could help by inviting students to participate in their congregations' activities.
"I don't think there's any question students need as many alternatives to going drinking as we can provide," he said.
The Rev. Mike Newman, pastor at the Newman Catholic Center which caters to students, noted the Interfaith Council used to distribute a brochure during campus registration, that listed local congregations and their meeting times.
It was discontinued because although all religious groups in the area were invited to submit information, only a few did, he said. "I think we should resurrect that."
Rees' talk was followed by a brief discussion of possible outreaches to students, such as holding a "religion fair" on campus and organizing a campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
It was noted that some congregations have young-adult groups that attract many college students.
Newman said his center has succeeded by serving meals after church services and offering presentations by thought-provoking speakers.
He suggested the area's faith communities appoint representatives to discuss how they might be more successful at offering students alternatives to parties.
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