2008 Woodie Awards
Reports of alcohol violations increase on campus
Heather Cosson
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Lifestyles
Campus police are filing reports of alcohol violations more frequently than in previous years. In 2006, 53 alcohol violations and two DUIs were reported. In 2007, the numbers increased to 85 alcohol violations and seven DUIs.
Campus police Chief Richard Austin said he thinks the violations aren't becoming more common but that police are becoming more aware of illegal alcohol use.
One group of students was seen purchasing alcohol at a gas station across from campus while a police officer was getting gas, Austin said. The officer witnessed the students placing the alcohol in a backpack and followed them to campus. The students then brought the it into a dorm room, where alcohol is prohibited regardless of the owner's age.
Another alcohol violation was witnessed when a group of students drinking in the apartments brought alcohol outside. Students aren't permitted to drink alcohol outside of the apartments.
When a police officer went to investigate, he found under-age students drinking inside.
Austin said the majority of DUIs are found when people are pulled over for not having FMU decals on their cars.
Officers said they often smell alcohol on the driver's breath or spot a bottle of alcohol in the car.
Woman sentenced to eight years in prison for felony DUI
Melissa Asko, 24, was sentenced in December to eight years in prison after killing two people, including a Francis Marion alumna, and injuring several others while driving drunk.
According to police reports, Asko was driving down West Palmetto Street in April 2006 when her car hit a curb and crossed traffic lanes before crashing into the patio area of Shooters Lounge. She was charged with felony DUI.
Kelly Michelle Blackwell and Andra Frost, both 25, died from injuries caused by the crash. Blackwell, an FMU alumna, was an elementary school teacher in Lamar, and Frost was a student at Morris College in Sumter.
Alcohol a factor in house fire that killed six S.C. students
Campus police Chief Richard Austin said he thinks the violations aren't becoming more common but that police are becoming more aware of illegal alcohol use.
One group of students was seen purchasing alcohol at a gas station across from campus while a police officer was getting gas, Austin said. The officer witnessed the students placing the alcohol in a backpack and followed them to campus. The students then brought the it into a dorm room, where alcohol is prohibited regardless of the owner's age.
Another alcohol violation was witnessed when a group of students drinking in the apartments brought alcohol outside. Students aren't permitted to drink alcohol outside of the apartments.
When a police officer went to investigate, he found under-age students drinking inside.
Austin said the majority of DUIs are found when people are pulled over for not having FMU decals on their cars.
Officers said they often smell alcohol on the driver's breath or spot a bottle of alcohol in the car.
Woman sentenced to eight years in prison for felony DUI
Melissa Asko, 24, was sentenced in December to eight years in prison after killing two people, including a Francis Marion alumna, and injuring several others while driving drunk.
According to police reports, Asko was driving down West Palmetto Street in April 2006 when her car hit a curb and crossed traffic lanes before crashing into the patio area of Shooters Lounge. She was charged with felony DUI.
Kelly Michelle Blackwell and Andra Frost, both 25, died from injuries caused by the crash. Blackwell, an FMU alumna, was an elementary school teacher in Lamar, and Frost was a student at Morris College in Sumter.
Alcohol a factor in house fire that killed six S.C. students
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