In an effort to accurately assess the drinking culture at Georgetown, the Office of Planning and Institutional Research e-mailed a survey to all undergraduates last week. It asks students to answer a series of questions about their own drinking habits and general perceptions of the role that drinking plays for the majority of Georgetown students. The survey concludes with a few questions related to non-drinking issues, including a remarkably forward question that asks the respondent to check a box if they consider themselves to be perpetrators of sexual assault, but these seem like more of an afterthought than an honest attempt to gather real information. The questions about drinking are clearly the focus of the survey.
Students should allow ten minutes of their time to fill out this survey, since it is an important opportunity to express the student point of view about a critical issue that affects both drinkers and non-drinkers alike.
University administrators seem sincere in their desire to gain truthful student input, not only on the current drinking culture, but also in regard to steps that might be taken to change University policies. Many students have complained about the seemingly inaccurate statistics that have been used to portray the drinking habits of Georgetown students in the past. That should give them all the more reason to help generate a more accurate representation of alcohol use on campus.
The most valuable portion of the survey is the space provided for students to comment about “the survey or other issues concerning alcohol use at Georgetown University.” If you’re still bitter about that write-up you received during your first year that remains on your record three years later, or if you’re confused as to why you’re not allowed to have a beer in Copley if you are 21, here is your chance to express your views on how policy could be improved.
More importantly, it is an opportunity for students to suggest rational steps the University can take to promote a safer drinking environment, without excessively punishing minor offenders and infringing upon students’ rights.
