40cal

I'm guessing the school is of the thought that if the message saves one life, it is worth the effort.

There is really no way to measure whether or not the message did save a life, but as others have posted if someone is on the fence regarding issues like that those courses may make a difference.

Suicide, senseless death?

In the end it doesn't matter, it is still tragic for those families involved.

Having just spent several hours at what was possibly a suicide the effects can be telling on the family as well as the responders especially when younger folks are involved.

Manny Laureano

ML

40cal

silverstar

Ok, so I guess I was a little out of line with my first post. I'm sorry about that.

I guess what I'm miffed about is the fact that this is the same class that I had to take every year of high school. The same information, the same warnings, the same annoyingly patient voice talking to you and using 'we' and 'our' instead of 'you' and 'your' when talking about making decisions. I'm tired of it. I mean, if people haven't gotten the message by now....

In all fairness to the school, they are trying to do something about the party scene. They are trying to help people avoid being hurt or killed.

The thing is though, as I learned through the course, only something like 23% of college kids are the ones out there making trouble and consuming 68% of the alcohol on campus. It's a small percentage of people who are doing all the loud obnoxious and dangerous stuff, and because of that, the rest of us get a bad rap.

I mean, I didn't realize that Iowa is a HUGE party school when I applied. I applied because I've wanted to go there forever, I love the city and the atmosphere, and they've got some really nice classes/majors. The thing is, when I tell people that I'm going to Iowa, they all assume that I'm going there to get drunk, high, and party. I've been offered a fake ID so I can get into the bars. I've been told that once I'm 19 I can get into the bars and no one will give a second glance if someone buys me a beer. I've been told by other people, who had every intention of staying sober and not partying hard their freshmen year, that I will eventually give in and do everything everyone else is doing.

Mr. Laureano, I'll keep an open mind, but don't worry, this brain isn't going to fall out.

Lara

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email: Lara.Shema@gmail.com
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*insert witty comment here*

Dave

Lara, are you absolutely certain this is required for all incoming students? Maybe it is a selective thing and you were chosen because they saw your avatar!

bandman

Lara, I really don't think you were out of line at all. What I got from your post is that your parents raised you right, and all of us here who care about you say thanks to your parents.

I think what your frustration is (from what I read) is that you are ready to enter the adult part of your life, and you realize that some of the other people going to college are not ready to be an adult. This raises the question; Why you are all lumped in to the same group?

My dear Lara, I ask the same question every time I go through an insurance checkpoint or a sobriety checkpoint when I drive my car. I have insurance, and I would sure as heck never drive after drinking. I still get pulled through the line with all the other cars at least once per year while driving.

I guess that the only explanation I can give you is exactly what I tell my students at school when they ask me about a rule they think is stupid. Laws (and most rules) are made for less than 2% of people in society. If there were no law against stealing, 49 out of 50 people would not steal. If there were no law against murder 49 out of 50 people (hopefully more) would not kill others. If there were no rule against cheating in school 49 out of 50 students would still do their own work.

Just be glad that you are in the 98%, and be aware that this same frustration will reoccur through out your adult life, because there will always be that 2% that will never act like an adult.

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trpt2345

I think the University is concerned also with covering their butts in case of an unfortunate incident involving alcohol, they can protect themselves from civil action by demonstrating that they made an effort to educate.

BTW, in my Junior High school in Minneapolis when I was in eighth grade some nerdy kid at a party tried to prove how cool he was by chugging a bottle of gin. He died of alcohol poisoning. This made an impression on everyone. This was about 1967. I can't remember his name but I can see his face plainly in my memory.

Michael McLaughlin (and a propos of the discussion)

Those that won't be counseled can't be helped.
Benjamin Franklin

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Chicago MM

trpt2345

And Lara, if you think the class was bad, don't ever get a speeding ticket because traffic school is even worse!

Michael McLaughlin

Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Benjamin Franklin

(couldn't resist that one)

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Chicago MM

silverstar

I don't have to worry about that for a while....I can't drive yet. I only have a learner's permit, my parents were going to teach me...but, I think that over next summer I'm going to cough up the dough and take driver's Ed. lol.

Bandman, that is a great post, and thank you for the compliment. *gwarsh* I just hope that I keep my wits about me and can stick to what I believe in. lol.

Lara

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email: Lara.Shema@gmail.com
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*insert witty comment here*

40cal

Not having a license doesn't stop everyone else

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“If there must be trouble, let it be in my day so that my child may have peace.”

Thomas Paine 1737-1809

“That’s all the bullets we had, or we would have shot him more,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd