Tabora says no to drunkenness, OSA proposes policy

After the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) proposed a handbook policy on drunkenness, students raised
their concerns during an open consultation held at the Xavier Hall Training Room last Aug. 25, 2017.

Representatives from Samahan, Campus Club Organizations (CCO) and other organizations comprised the
attendance for the consultation.

University concern

OSA Director Maam Theresa Eliab related the importance of addressing the concern of drunkenness
within the campus.

We have certain records in the OSA related to drunkenness that resulted to fighting in campus and
attempts to violate the rights of either the opposite sex or the same sex because of the state of
drunkenness. You may have heard that some of the students died or committed violations outside the
campus. So, we consider drunkenness as a very grave issue.

University President Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ elaborated his concern about the issue especially in view of recent
cases involving the students.

I am very concerned about this and its not only because of the recent cases we had. In the last case, we
had a chemical engineering student who was partying and he had lost control of himself. He goes to a
comfort room falls down, hits his head, and dies. I dont know if it hurts you but it hurts me very much,
Tabora remarked.

He added, The other recent case, a former Atenean stoned drunk goes out and kills people. Really, its
not something we can accept. So, a year ago, I called Bimbay and Ira that I want a strong handbook
position that will consider it a grave offense if any of our students are involved in this kind of drunk
binging.

Defining Drunkenness

Tabora defined the level of drunkenness he wished to prohibit in the policy.

What I immediately want to prohibit is this binging where you knowingly get stoned drunk and so stoned
drunk where youre lying around the beach and lying around beds and asking for things to happen and
things happen. If one complains, I am going to go after everyone whos there because its a group thing.
Other levels of drunkenness can be dealt with in a tempered way.

Tabora excluded the social act of drinking as long as it does not meet the definition of binge drinking and
intentionally getting drunk.

The social thing where people come together and enjoy together, I certainly dont condemn that. I
practice that myself. One knows ones limits normally.

Tabora also condemned afternoon drunkenness because of the unnecessity and how students are still
in their uniforms in doing so.

Propositions
Tabora explained the consequence for the offense.

My proposal is that if you are in Ateneo de Davao and then you are engaged in this getting drunk, it is a
serious offense Ateneo college and if youre caught, we will suspend you for at least one semester or
should it be longer. Agree with me or not, it is proven to be harmful to you and others. Im not worried
about reputation, I am worried about what happens to you.

Tabora also emphasized that if someone who has previously committed the same offense, he would not
hesitate on dismissing the student.

Also, he mentioned that violators shall be given no warnings for the offense.

Tabora further proposed that the university shall conduct sessions on proper drinking.

Im not against drinking, I have told Ira and Bimbay that lets give the students sessions of how to drink
without getting drunk. I do think we can have rational ways of learning how to drink together and on
finding your limits. Lets do it. That could mean we have to change some rules, but I would rather have
that. Make it a learning experience rather than going to dark places where these things go wrong.

Student Concerns

Samahan President John Espino questioned the harshness of the punishment, and Tabora explained the
necessity.

You think of the gravity of the offense and the necessity of the punishment to deter the offense. Im
trying to tell you all, I consider it very evil when people who are intelligent, organize themselves into a
situation where they knowingly give up their freedom and allow behavior which they normally would not
allow, Tabora responded.

A student also raised the concern of how college students are adults and reserve the right to drink as they
please. Tabora condemned the reasoning and emphasized responsibility.

Thats really funny to say that when youre 18, youre allowed to be stupid and put yourselves in a
situation that you could harm yourself and other people. Because youre 18, youre supposed to have
more grasp on your responsibility and freedom, and more self-respect. That [age] does not allow you to
do such stupid things. Your logic is bad because what is involved is what is moral and what is not moral.

Tabora also answered to the concern raised where students feel the need to get drunk especially after a
bad exam.

And just because you had a bad time in a test does not mean you are allowed to recreate in such a way.
I am not against drinking even if after exams. As long as you do not lose your humanity. A bad exam could
be a reason to gather around and console one another but it does not mean you could be immoral,
Tabora explained.

Tabora responded to the concern of whether the policy extends to drinking with family.

I would expect that Ateneans who have some time to reflect themselves and on their dignity, even with
their families, would know how to comport (?) themselves. Sometimes, our families are the environment
where immorality is nested. So, education should bring you to a point where you are critical of your family
whether there is corruption in your family, Tabora cited.
Tabora invited the students to help in crafting the policy. The consultation was a step towards concretizing
the policy of imposing sanctions on student drunkenness.