SIUC Needs a "Drunk Bus" Safety Service

Southern Illinois University has been known as a party school. Let's face it, every school has students that drink. But, an increasing problem in Carbondale is student safety, when under the influence of alcohol.

We have seen numerous students who have gotten DUI's, dealt with violence, and still get behind the wheel, intoxicated. Students do not have a reliable safety service to get from one side of town, to the other. Although cabs are available, they take forever to pick you up, and are not 100% reliable, and they don't take credit.

People in Carbondale should be educated on this issue, and should do something about it for the future of SIUC students, and their safety. If there was a "drunk bus" safety service, the DUI rates would decrease, and alcohol-related injuries and deaths would decrease as well. More importantly, students will be able to have fun, safely.

Through my investigation, I have come across several Universities that have a "drunk bus" safety service for their students. Illinois State University has a late night service that allows students to get downtown safely, all you need is your ID, and it's free. Northern Illinois University also has a safety service for students. Bowling Green State University has a few different ways of safe transportation for students as well. These are just a few of the schools I found that have a service for students, and provide a safe way of getting around.

Have you ever noticed that on the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Police site, there are no safety services for our students? Although, we have a saluki express, there is no "late night" service for students to ride on the weekends like the other Universities. If you also look at the Department of Public Safety, you will see, there are no "late night" bus service for students who may be going to bars or parties, and under the influence of alcohol. We only have a transit service that will take you from your home to campus, and vice versa. They will not pick you up or drop you off anywhere close to the strip or by Pinch on the other side of town.



I didn't interview or talk to sources, besides a few students. However, I found a video on YouTube, "The Drunk Bus Chronicles," from East Carolina University. It is a great source, even though I wasn't there.

As I continued my investigation on the safety bus services, I had a hard time finding actual documents on DUI statistics in Carbondale. I would need to obtain documents that show the DUI arrests, alcohol related injuries/deaths, and violence (that has occurred while students walk from one side of town to the other, while under the influence of alcohol).

I would also need to find documents on the budget for the University, and by looking at the Fiscal Budget I'm able to see what money is being spent, and on what. After looking at the budget, we would need to consider how much money it would cost to have this "late night" service, and how the money would be absorbed. We'd also need to find out how much a bus driver would need to be paid, and consider the amount for maintenance.

We also need to take in consideration, student fees. Student at SIUC, have access to the recreational center, and are given meal plans for those who live in dorms. If we had a safety "drunk bus", the University could give students money (that would be charged to their bursar account) on their Dawg Tag Card per semester. By having a certain amount of money for each semester, students would be able to ride the safety bus as needed. But, if you saw the other universities safety information, some services are free. It really depends on the budget and what money is being spent on, and where.

In 2005, the Mini-Alcohol Enforcement Program was created. It showed that the University was awarded $19,357 . The program is designed to decrease alcohol- related traffic crashes, and to crack down on DUI's. What I don't understand, is that the University was awarded this money, and three years later, DUI rates are still high, and alcohol- related accidents have occurred. There should be some sort of grant for a safety bus service for the students. If SIU had a safety bus service, I would bet money, that the DUI rates and alcohol-related injuries/accidents will decrease as well. When I searched the SIUC website for MAP, it only pulled up articles about "police focusing on drunk driving, police expand traffic enforcement." What they need to be focusing on, is the students safety. It's clear that they aren't. That money could be used more efficiently on generating a safety service for Carbondale.

Sources
In order to gain more information on a safety service, I would need to talk to some different people. First, I need to get a hold of the Department of Transportation. I would ask them why SIUC doesn't have a "drunk bus" service.

Second, I would talk to President Glenn Poshard. I would ask him about the fiscal budget, and what is going on with MAP currently. I'd also ask him, how he feels about the other schools that have a bus service available. Lastly, I'd want to ask him about the DUI's and alcohol- related injuries/accidents. If we had a safety bus, don't you think students wouldn't have to worry about DUI, and will get home safe?

Third, I'd talk to the other Universities that have the bus services, and find out the rate of students with DUI's before, and the rate of DUI after the safety buses started service.

Fourth, I'd talk to students obviously. I would find out their way of transportation, and if they would be in favor of a "late night bus" service, and if they would use it responsibly.

I talked to two students, Jacque Charveron, 24, and Maggie Davidson, 22. I asked them a few questions on the issue.

Me: How do you get around town when you're out and drinking?
Jacque: I drive.
Me: Why?
Jacque: Because it takes too long to wait for a cab. I once waited two hours for one, and they never came.
Me: If we had a "drunk bus" safety service, would you take it? and if so, would you take advantage of it, and party more excessively?
Jacque: I would definitely ride the bus! I wouldn't have to worry about driving anymore. I wouldn't party any different than I already do.
Maggie: The University will realize how much students really do drink, but if they had a bus, students would at least be safe.
Me: Do you think it's the universities responsibility to protect their students?
Maggie: Yes, we're paying the school an obscene amount of money. Take away one scholarship from the football team, and we'd have money to get a safety bus service.
Me: Do you think the police are doing a good enough job in protecting students?
Jacque: No. The only reason why they care, is because they're making more money by giving DUI's. If we had a safety bus, they'd be losing money, because they wouldn't be giving out as many DUI's.

Fifth, I would talk to the local bar owners or bartenders on the strip, and the bars located on Grand Ave. (such as Pinch Penny Pub) and see if they are for or against, having a safety bus for their student customers whom they serve.

Ethical Concerns
Is it the University's responsibility to protect the students' safety?
Even if a student is consuming alcohol underage, is it ethical to rid them of a safe way to get around?
Would students take advantage of a safety bus?
If we had a safety bus service, would it make SIUC look bad, or alter its reputation?
How will other people in Carbondale react to it?
Is it ethical to allow students to feel unsafe, and not know what they will face when under the influence of alcohol?

A little video that might make you think twice about drinking and driving.

If I weren't graduating in May, I would try my hardest to educate Carbondale, and to get a "drunk bus" safety service up and running at SIUC. I think it is the right, that every future student deserves to have. Here's a little simile to conclude this post- A safety bus is like dessert taken away from a child; if you don't do what you're supposed to, or if you get in trouble, dessert can be taken away, just like that! So, what I'm saying people, is that getting a safety bus is a really good thing, but if people take advantage of it, and excessively drink, and cause trouble, they may just ruin it for everyone else.

If anyone has any feedback (positive or negative), or has any suggestions/information on the "Drunk bus" safety service, please feel free to leave a comment on here. Or you can email me at, luvy03@siu.edu

Just a few sites I dig...

Facebook
A useful site to keep in touch with high school friends, college friends, etc.

SIUC Website
I always use this site to access blackboard, check my grades, and to keep up with our SIUC sports schedule.

YouTube
My favorite site to watch any type of video, it's pretty addicting!

SunTimes
I'm from Chicago, and don't have the opprotunity to pick up this paper, so I check it out on the net.

Daily Egyptian
SIUC has the best college newspaper, I always pick one up to see what's going on in our community.

Some other Stuff to check out!

JournalismNet
The investigative guide to internet research. This site allows you to search and find people, crimes, news, etc.

Better Government Association
The BGA's mission is to combat waste, fraud, and corruption in government by conducting investigative research and litigation to expose problems, by researching policy solutions promoting transparency and accountability in government.

In addition to the BGA website, they also have a helpful reference guide for Investigators.

Zaba Search
This site is a public information search engine, and allows you to find out dirt on people. It will search all 50 states, and gives a complete report on the person you are searching. However, if you want to obtain the detailed report, you will have to sign up for an account. But, the positive side, is you get the address and phone number for free.

Association of Certified Freud Examiners
The ACFE is the world's premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. Together with nearly 50,000 members, the ACFE is reducing business fraud world-wide and inspiring public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession.

Experts know it all!

Experts are people who have worked in the field and are experienced. At times, they can be very helpful and useful.

Every Journalist should:
- have a little black book with a list of experts
- meet as many people as possible, the more the better.
- get the number of a source they have used more than once.
- have accessibility, make sure they can get a hold of the source.
- look at what publications experts are being quoted in, and if it's a well- known publication or not.
- do a background check on an expert, before they call or get a hold of one.
- tell experts what they specifically need.
- not be afraid to ask questions.

Some sites to check out:

PR Newswire
An online community of professional communicators, ProfNet was created to connect reporters easily and quickly with expert sources at no charge.

Brookings Institution
Brookings brings together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations and analysis on a full range of public policy issues.

Sources Directory
This site offers a directory of expert contacts and media spokespersons, media names and numbers, parliamentary names and numbers, and more.

ALM Experts
This site is very helpful to find sources for experts, consultants, and litigation support services. You can browse any topic or issue that you'd like to investigate, and it will pull up a list of experts in that specialty. The experts' resume, and profile are available to view as well. Great site!

Everyone can Investigate!

I am in Investigative Reporting with Bill Recktenwald, and he has been an instructor that I have had for numerous classes. More importantly, he has taught me so much about Journalism in general, and I will take all of his tools and tips with me as I prepare to enter the world of writing. His blog is worth checking out.


Useful References
This site will literally give you all the helpful resources to find out any information you may need to get a story started. It's a great site to add to your favorites!

Phone Numbers
We all get random phone calls from an unknown number. By going to this site, you can find out what city and state the caller is from. More importantly, you can find out what service the caller has. Pretty cool huh?!

Newspaper Archives
An educational site to check out! Read up on well-written articles, reporting and writing, leadership and management, online and multimedia, and visual journalism.

Newspapers all over the US
Ever wonder what other newspaper publications are in your area? Check this site out, it gives you a list of newspapers for all of the 50 states.

A Guide for Journalists
This is a very easy and useful tool for any journalist. It doesn't matter if you're new, experienced, or an old journalist, it is helpful for everyone.

Get out there and explore and Investigate!

Alcoholism among students

Picture this: You get together with a bunch of friends, and start drinking at someones apartment or house. Someone suggests drinking games, and of course you don't want to be the loser sitting out, so you play. A few hours go by, and you've already drank 3 or 4 beers. Feeling pretty good, right? Well, it's 11pm, and everyone wants to go to the bars. So, since you're buzzed, and you're on a roll, why stop. You guys go to a bar, and get some drinks. Then a bunch of your friends want to do shots, and assume you're going to take one. And, you don't want to insult them, so you take the shot, whew, SoCo and lime, pretty rough. You guys stick around until last call. Half of the people you went to the bar with are missing, and your one buddy is making friends with the trash can, and you are super intoxicated, and stumbling around. As you finish your tenth or eleventh beer, you try to collect your thoughts on how to get home. (Since you live on the opposite side of town.) You don't see any of your friends, and start walking by yourself. Well, you know there is a short cut somewhere, but can't remember. You come up to a big intersection, and try not to weave in and out as you walk on the sidewalk. You are seeing double, and everything in sight is blurred. You see your apartment, and not thinking decide to run across the street. You see lights, and open your eyes. Guess where you are? You're in the hospital. Oh, you don't remember what happend? You got hit by a car. You could've been killed.
In many cases, students can get so drunk, and "black out". However, some students get so inebriated to the point that they don't realize what they're doing at that present time. Even though they may be functioning physically, they wake up not knowing half, or sometimes, all of what happend while they were blacked out. There are all different situations that students can experience when they're under the influence of alcohol. But the question is, when does alcohol become a problem? As you click on this link, you will see the policies and procedures regarding alcohol and drug abuse. Some students may not think they have a problem, because partying is "normal" for college students. It's unfortunate that students wait until something serious happens; like a breaking a bone, or passing out on the side of a street, or even worse. Is alcohol part of the college tradition at SIUC? Another issue with alcohol could be connected with the Greek system. Every year, freshman walking around campus see sidewalks and walls chalked up with advertisments to rush a fraternity or sorrority. Of course, these young kids are still a little homesick, or aren't making friends as easily as they anticipated. So, maybe joining a frat or sorrority would help them meet new people, the opposite sex, and allow them to have a good time. At social events the houses may throw, alcohol is usually consumed. Students usually drink to gain "liquid confidence", or because it's the cool thing to do. Other students work really hard during the week at school, and reward themselves with a weekend of partying, a.k.a. binge drinking.
After clicking on that link, I bet that was a reality check. I'm sure tons of people have binge drank before, and I'll admit it, I have too. But, after reading that article, and learning that we can DIE from it, scares the hell out of me. What about you? Here's the thing: Most students don't want to admit that they have a problem, or don't THINK they have a problem. Students think it's the norm to go out on the weekends to get hammered, go out on Wednesday night because it's 80's night, or go out for "one" drink, even though one always turns into 4 or 5. How do you know if YOU have a problem?
People only tell the people around them so much, and some friends may not be able to recognize a friend suffering from a problem such as alcoholism, or drug abuse. If you are someone who has a problem, or knows someone who has a problem with alcohol, please don't ignore it. One more thing, it doesn't hurt just to look and see what it's about. Please check out the following link. Alcoholics Anonymous.

Food Fight

The Great Depression was hard for my Grandpa.
His family couldn’t afford food. Supper with them
was like fighting a battle.

There was no electricity.
Candles lit
raw boned cheeks-
and seven faces,
snarled their salivated mouths.

The ice box, half full with meat and vegetables,
stayed cool. Like a gun, the ammo was only used,
when starved or sick,
and eating became a system.

His mother made one chicken:
His father had first pick,
The working brothers next, then Edwin;
Leaving his sisters, and mother to eat the sloppy scraps.

The Great Depression was hard
for my Grandpa. His family
couldn’t afford food.
Supper with them
was like fighting a battle.

Copyright Lauren Velie 2008

Orville Redenbocker

The only thing giving me pleasure late night is Orville Redenbocker.
Not the man, but his popcorn.
Every night watching T.V. alone,
I crave buttery salty lovin-
crunching in between my teeth.
Hoping nothing gets stuck in the crevices,
I cuddle with my man,
allowing my chest to catch a few pieces.
I gaze into the half empty bowl,
and get lost in those tempting brown kernels.
So what if this nightly ritual is like sex,
this is no one night stand,
this is a serious relationship.

Copyright Lauren Velie 2007

Boyfriend Application

First name, middle, and last.
Date of Birth.
Current location of residence.
Write legibly.

I'm looking for a man.
Do you fit the following requirements?
If you make it all the way through,
I may consider hiring you.

Five feet, seven inches to six feet, four inches tall.
Blond, brown, black hair, not gray.
Green, blue, brown, hazel, true eyes.
Straight teeth that love to smile.

Average build, a few extra pounds, some muscle.
Hard chest, for me to sleep on.
A large stomach, to eat and drink.
A mind and body to satisfy me.

Educated with a college degree,
a good job that allows free time.
Family oriented, very important.
No kids yet, but wants them eventually.

Sense of humor, make me laugh.
Sensitive, capable of expressing feelings.
Caring, concern of how I feel.
Supportive, of my dreams and goals.

Cheaters, need not apply.
Commitment, to be with me and only me.
Argue, don't always agree, put up a playful fight.

Take me on adventures,
drink beer and play poker,
spoon with me even if we aren't making love,
watch lifetime with me and like it.

Tell me you miss me,
don't lie to me,
tell me you "love me" and mean it,
don't quit when times get tough.

Applicant Signature here/ date.

Once in a Blue Moon

The weeping willow tree sways,
shadowing over their motionless bodies.
He lies next to her, book in hand,
and her Spagetti-o head of curls in the other.
The sun on medium heat,
graces her golden forehead.
Wind dances past his face,
tickling his stubborn eyebrow.
Mother earth falls onto her chest,
he runs the feather like leaf up her neck, long and lovely-
Little peach fuzz hairs awake and stand up.
"Why is it called a weeping willow? when it doesn't weep?" She always asked.
The tree innocently beautiful,
even with it's rough brown torso.
The breaking silence-
leaves brush against each other,
like his lips on hers,
allowing her to weep
once in a blue moon.

Addiction

Dime, nickel, and quarter size papered faces,
of animals, smiley’s, and smelly's,
entered my five year old life.
I held a book full of glossy naked pages,
in desperate need of cluster and companionship.
I kept each type of sticker,designated to certain pages.
Innocent puppies, kittens, and bunnies,
had my heart on page one.
There wasn’t anything special about them,
but I admired their little faces encrusted with whiskers.
I grew familiar with my friends,
and escalated to a new level of stickerism.
No other children understood my language,
nor could they have a more exciting collection.
Sesame street, Ninja turtles, Barney and friends…oh my.
Don’t get me wrong, I had fun with human friends,
as we played intense hop scotch,
twirling our flirty pig tails at boys.
But my sticker book buddies were intelligent.
I hid behind a brick wall during recess,
and got high off of banana and strawberry smiles.
If there were AA for kiddies, I’d be at the podium, saying:
“Hi, my name is Lauren. I’m a scratch and sniff abuser.”
I was addicted. But god, that stuff was good.
One day at the lunch table,
snotty nose Stacey pulled a book out of her bag pack.
I covered my face with a hand and froze;
squeezed my penny sized eyes shut,
until black and white stars appeared.
I allowed space in between my fingers to peek at her
.That booger eating brat had a sticker book!
Her friends twiddle dee and twiddle dumb went gaga.
I sat Indian style in my extravagant play room that afternoon
and gazed at my sticky friends, and put them away.
Then I discovered a new love,
Sidewalk chalk.

Copyright 2007 Lauren Velie

Just a little mind boggle.

So I have many things going through my mind. Right now I'm watching Cheaters on T.V., it might be the best thing that has hit the tube, definitley makes Kay Jewelry commercials look bad. I couldn't imagine getting a hold of private investigators and having them follow my boyfriend or husband and find out he's cheating. Then, when you catch the scum sucking jerk in the act with the unclassy cheatee, and there are cameras they have to confess. This world of men and women is messed up. I was talking to my grandma the other day, deep convo style...and I asked her how my Grandpa and her lasted for 54 years. Her response was...telling my grandpa that if he met a woman and had temptations, to tell her..and not cheat on her. That way, they could save the drama and just get a divorce. Well, that sure kept him straight. I agree with her, and that is my motto. Sure no one wants to get cheated on, but wouldn't that save a world of hurt. If a boyfriend isn't satisfied with me, and has temptation for another woman, i'd just say, hey buddy...let me know, and I'm outta there... That's all there is to it. Because once a cheater, always a cheater. And I wont stand for that. period.
I am happy with myself, and happy being alone. But sure, it wouldn't hurt to be with someone who can share the same dreams and interests that I have. In February, it would have been a year... that I was with my ex. Since him the time has flown by, and I really haven't thought about him. that's a good thing. I haven't been looking, haven't really dated. Because I know someone better and more amazing will come along. Someone that sees the world the way I do. Someone who I can talk to about anything, and laugh at all the stupid people and dumb things that we are surrounded with. Someone who has gone through the same shit I have, and really knows that we are better than what we have come across. Someone who wont settle for just anyone, or anything. Someone who has drive, ambition, and goals set for themselves, that may go way beyond what most people wouldn't even attempt to grasp. I know there is someone out there who is thinking about me, and maybe we haven't met. But only time will tell. Maybe that person will show up somewhere where I have been, and we will meet there one day. and when I see them, I will be like, "where have you been all my life?" I guess you need to go through bumpy roads and pop a tire or two, and put on the spare. Maybe buy new tires and a new engine, that will last for longer than the old pieces that broke down leaving you stranded for a while. A car will get dirty, and car washes are temporary. don't know if that metaphor made sense. but I want a new ride!