Students cited for pool misuse

   For the first time, students on campus had a pool to use next to the dorms during Interterm. While most students enjoyed the new area by swimming and tanning, at least two violated campus code by bringing illegal substances.

   Public Safety officers cited one student for intoxication and one for marijuana possession, at the new pool near the dorms. Officers declined to say whether incidents had occurred since Jan. 9, the last time the incident log had been updated, as of press time.

   Jerry Price, vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students, said although he is disappointed with the incidents at the pool, he's not surprised.    

   "I can see how students think it's a party place, but it's not that kind of party place for alcohol and drinking," Price said. "It's naïve to think we're not going to have a couple of these incidents."

   A sign in the pool area states alcohol is not permitted, even for students of age. The sign also states loud and unruly behavior is prohibited. However, this didn't stop about 30 students, who had attended an afternoon off-campus party, from migrating to the pool area Jan. 7.

   "We were being pretty loud and there was alcohol around the pool," said freshman business major Zach Dutra. "They searched through some bags that were on the ground and asked us to leave."

   Dutra, who lives in Henley Hall, said he did not have alcohol and was not cited by Public Safety. Dutra said it was his first time using the pool and he hasn't returned since. Public Safety received a call about loud behavior by the pool and surveillance cameras showed a student throwing a Christmas tree into the pool. The cited student admitted to consuming five cans of 12-ounce beer, according to the report. Dutra declined to comment whether this incident occurred while he was there.    

   If the mistreatment of the pool continues, Price said administration will develop more severe consequences, such as permanently disconnecting students' access to the pool.

   "It's not fair for the inappropriate behavior of a handful of students to jeopardize the amenity for the other 5,000 students," Price said.    

   Graeme Aegerter, a freshman music major who lives in Henley Hall, said he and his friends go to the pool each week.

   "There's usually a lot of people playing music and it's packed," Aegerter said. "It's been a great way to meet other students and relax." 

   Although he has seen Public Safety officers drive by, he has never seen them come to the pool to investigate.

   "I figured it would be really easy to sneak alcohol in, so I thought it was bound to happen eventually," Aegerter said.