Professors weigh in on the effect alcohol has on academics
Erin Keenan Lowry
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Features
"If someone isn't in the hospital or has a dying relative and misses a class, the syllabus says they have a final grade lowered by half of a letter grade," Wilkins said. "Over the years, students have absented themselves into failing grades."
Since Wilkins came to the university in the fall of 1996, the average undergraduate grade point average has been between 2.8 and 2.9. Wilkins does not believe the GPA should be so low and may be a consequence related to some students' drinking habits.
Simone said, "The university may have the reputation of a drinking school, but it does not seem to be any worse than many universities."
"Drinking is present in college culture across the board," Simone said. "My godson and goddaughter say it's the same at their colleges. My colleagues say it's the same. It doesn't mean we should say 'oh well,' but it is not unique to Bonaventure."
"What concerns me the most," Simone said, "is the health and safety of students. It is easy to dismiss as 'oh well it happens everywhere,' but every year, students, not just here, end up injured, dead or otherwise damaged."
According to the university Web site, the school has 1,888 undergraduate students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.
"On such a small campus we may notice (student drinking) more because we know so many people because the community is tight," Simone said.
"It makes me care more because I know students."
Since Wilkins came to the university in the fall of 1996, the average undergraduate grade point average has been between 2.8 and 2.9. Wilkins does not believe the GPA should be so low and may be a consequence related to some students' drinking habits.
Simone said, "The university may have the reputation of a drinking school, but it does not seem to be any worse than many universities."
"Drinking is present in college culture across the board," Simone said. "My godson and goddaughter say it's the same at their colleges. My colleagues say it's the same. It doesn't mean we should say 'oh well,' but it is not unique to Bonaventure."
"What concerns me the most," Simone said, "is the health and safety of students. It is easy to dismiss as 'oh well it happens everywhere,' but every year, students, not just here, end up injured, dead or otherwise damaged."
According to the university Web site, the school has 1,888 undergraduate students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.
"On such a small campus we may notice (student drinking) more because we know so many people because the community is tight," Simone said.
"It makes me care more because I know students."
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