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Back-to-school partiers too buzzed

Abstract:
Of the 27 student arrests that have occurred since Monday, 25 students - including seven freshmen - were arrested on alcohol-related charges. The students were arrested on charges of underage possession and consumption of alcohol, driving under the influence or open container....

Bryan

posted 8/17/07 @ 10:32 AM EST

So when a Red and Black staffer gets arrested, their picture will be in the paper right?
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notastaffer

posted 9/18/07 @ 3:12 PM EST

Originally posted by

Bryan

 So when a Red and Black staffer gets arrested, their picture will be in the paper right?


Yes, you are correct. Just ask Rebecca Leigh Rose, 22, a copy editor for The Red & Black.
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Dan

posted 8/17/07 @ 10:37 AM EST

WTF? Now the R&B is putting mug shots in the paper??? This might be too far. How the eff is this news?!
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Max

posted 8/17/07 @ 10:38 AM EST

As an alum who readily admits that alcohol consumption is a major problem at UGA and similar schools, I nevertheless think it's ridiculous that the R&B posted these photographs!
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RMS

posted 8/17/07 @ 11:03 AM EST

What an informative, worthwhile front page story.
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Tom

posted 8/17/07 @ 11:23 AM EST

I would loved to have been in the editorial meeting where it was decided it was a good idea to splash the pictures of seven freshmen with alcohol incidents in full color at the top of today's paper.

Some papers have a "crime log" where they post the names of arrestees on some corner of some back page of the paper everyday. It's a shame that so many people confuse this type of sensationalism with real journalism.
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Ken

posted 8/17/07 @ 11:41 AM EST

Look mom and dad! I went to college and wound up in the county jail! And school hasn't even started yet! This sure is going to be a fun 4 years!
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Jane

posted 8/17/07 @ 11:41 AM EST

I've never considered the Red and Black much of a creditable news source... but now they've turned into a freaking tabloid!

Let the Red and Black boycott begin!
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Austin

posted 8/17/07 @ 12:42 PM EST

good way to defame the characters of 7 people, maybe you should meet them before you make a circus out of their situation. its not as if they didnt feel bad enough or werent in enough trouble already.
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ILikePartyGirls

posted 9/18/07 @ 3:16 PM EST

Originally posted by

Austin

 good way to defame the characters of 7 people, maybe you should meet them before you make a circus out of their situation. its not as if they didnt feel bad enough or werent in enough trouble already.


Apparently Kaitlin and Sydney DIDN'T feel bad enough the first time.

http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2007/09/18/News/Stubbed.Toe.Leads.To.Freshmen.Arrests-2973647.shtml
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Sara Hinson

posted 8/17/07 @ 1:33 PM EST

What an extraordinarily cruel tactic to use against kids on thier first few days away from home.
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none

posted 9/18/07 @ 3:19 PM EST

Originally posted by

Sara Hinson

 What an extraordinarily cruel tactic to use against kids on thier first few days away from home.



You're right. Apparently, cruelty doesn't work. Or, perhaps Kaitlin and Sydney were merely drowning their sorrows.
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Pam Smith

posted 8/17/07 @ 1:46 PM EST

Ken, make that 5 years!!
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7-th Year Junior

posted 9/18/07 @ 3:23 PM EST

Originally posted by

Pam Smith

 Ken, make that 5 years!!


Better make it 6... for now.
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MBraun

posted 8/17/07 @ 1:47 PM EST

Oh noes! the paper shouldn't publish things that are already available to the public! these poor freshman need a respite, who says they need to face consequences for their choices, one of which is ending up on the front page of the school newspaper?
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Will

posted 8/17/07 @ 2:38 PM EST

I was going to say how inappropriate it is to post those mugshots as if these seven freshmen were the 9/11 highjackers, but then I realized how both stupid and inappropriate it was to even publish their names! When I was at UGA, I knew a girl who accused a fellow student of sexual assault. The R&B ran an article about it but didn't even publish the guys' name. Must be a very slow news day.
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Ian at College Colosseum

posted 8/17/07 @ 2:41 PM EST

I totally agree with what Austin said above. The fact that you would post their pictures is absolutely ridiculous.
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Matthew Sheahan

posted 8/17/07 @ 2:50 PM EST

Not only is it a completely excessive abuse of police power to arrest people for underage possession of alcohol, I think it is unfortunate that the Red & Black has chosen to run these photos. Mug shot photos should be reserved for those accused of serious crimes, and I'm sorry, but underage possession of alcohol is not a serious crime. Please seriously reconsider this editorial decision.
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Get It Right

posted 8/17/07 @ 3:29 PM EST

Originally posted by

Matthew Sheahan

 Not only is it a completely excessive abuse of police power to arrest people for underage possession of alcohol, I think it is unfortunate that the Red & Black has chosen to run these photos. Mug shot photos should be reserved for those accused of serious crimes, and I'm sorry, but underage possession of alcohol is not a serious crime. Please seriously reconsider this editorial decision.


Police power? Try university president. It is only by Adams' mandate that the university police dept. arrests people for underage possession of alcohol. Aside from that, I agree with you. It was tacky of the R&B to post the mug shots.
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Katie

posted 8/17/07 @ 7:37 PM EST

For a newspaper who boasts of its high quality, I wish they could do so with a shred of journalistic integrity. Do the staffers of the Red and Black realize that now whenever any of these freshmen photographed is searched on Google for example, this article will come up. This article will stay with them for the rest of their lives, and for what? So the newspaper could sell a few more issues. It was a terrible decision and I think it is incredibly insensitive and cruel to do this to new students. The Red and Black staff should be ashamed of themselves for literally ruining some of these kids' futures.
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anon

posted 8/18/07 @ 9:36 AM EST

Originally posted by

Matthew Sheahan

 Not only is it a completely excessive abuse of police power to arrest people for underage possession of alcohol, I think it is unfortunate that the Red & Black has chosen to run these photos. Mug shot photos should be reserved for those accused of serious crimes, and I'm sorry, but underage possession of alcohol is not a serious crime. Please seriously reconsider this editorial decision.



Or could it be that underage possession of alcohol is *gasp* against the law and police officers are required to enforce the law?
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alumnus

posted 8/17/07 @ 3:03 PM EST

I don't think it was that bad of an idea to put the photos in the paper.
Also I am not sure how it is an "abuse of power" to arrest people for underage possession.
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anon

posted 8/17/07 @ 3:04 PM EST

How do you like it Carolyn?

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=3821018&albumID=0&imageID=1341380

More can be viewed here http://www.myspace.com/carolyncrist
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Nick

posted 8/17/07 @ 3:21 PM EST

If you don't want to end up on the front page of the Red and Black, don't act like a drunk idiot. These guys got their just desserts. Its fine to drink, but expect to pay a price if you're busted for you.
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You're dumb and here's why

posted 8/17/07 @ 3:29 PM EST

If these kids didn't want their pictures in the paper, they shouldn't have broken the law. In no way are they being defamed. They were arrested and the R&B is stating that fact.

And guess what, underage drinking is a MAJOR problem at UGA. I know I did way too much of it during my freshman and sophomore year. While this is not breaking news, it might at least create some caution from the under-21 crowd before getting drunk and stupid.
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Henry Warnock

posted 8/17/07 @ 3:49 PM EST

What a terrible decision to run this article in the Red & Black. This article does little more than embarrass seven of the youngest and newest members of the University of Georgia community, providing no substantive or informative news. It is hard to view this article as anything more than abuse and cruelty on the part of the Red & Black. I hope that this is not a preview of the direction that the Red & Black is going in the 2007-2008 academic year. This newspaper should operate with integrity, recognizing and respecting the power that it wields.
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get over it

posted 8/17/07 @ 3:54 PM EST

Henry, What more do you want besides citing police reports and using mugshots? That's pretty subsantive and informative. Tells the story and proves it. As for the rest fo you, quit crying for these kids. Ever since Lewis Fish died, this University has an even worse reputation for underage drinking. So this is VERY relevant, not to mention a well written, researched, and presented article. Don't want your picture in the paper? Don't be an idiot.
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Dawg Fan

posted 8/17/07 @ 4:42 PM EST

Originally posted by

get over it

 Ever since Lewis Fish died, this University has an even worse reputation for underage drinking.


I would argue that the diminished reputation of the University has much more to do with Mr. Fish's heroin use than it does his underage drinking. These Draconian measures employed by Mike Adams and the UGA Police will never stop underage drinking at the University.
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goochblitz94

posted 8/17/07 @ 4:45 PM EST

the red and black has no credibility, is biased, and the writers for the paper obviously scribble down garbage articles like this between classes after they get made fun of.
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Joe Student

posted 8/17/07 @ 4:53 PM EST

lol at all you people.

Someone gets trashed and arrested the night before classes begin, it's news. Get over it, the real world has consequences that correspond to actions.
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Joe Blow

posted 8/17/07 @ 5:25 PM EST

One of the more distasteful moments in Red and Black history. These seven freshman had a better start than the editorial board at the Red and Black. Note to self: don't invite Red and Black staff to next social function, they are rude, distasteful, and inconsiderate jack-asses.
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Joe College

posted 8/17/07 @ 6:21 PM EST

Wow. Suspect #7 looks amazing. I wish more girls' mug shots looked as good! Is she single?
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Donald Trump

posted 8/17/07 @ 6:24 PM EST

Dear Suspect #7,
Mel Gibson, James Brown, and Nick Nolte have all requested your advice on improving their mugshots.
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O'Doyles Rule

posted 8/17/07 @ 7:39 PM EST

I had a blast my freshman year party my ass off and luckily never got arrested. Thank god UGA did not have such crazy f**ked up rules as they do now. Most college students don't mature until sophomore year and for any of you idiots to be bashing these kids is ridiculous. Let them enjoy being freshman, it's more silly "hoes" we have in downtown Athens to hook up with. That's why I miss college and I wish I had not graduated in 4 years even though I drank and smoked my brains out my freshman and senior year. By sophomore year I had figured out the system and I graduated from Terry and now work for a top tier Investment Bank as an Analyst. We have all drank one time or the other and thrown up, leave these kids alone!!!

Party on, party on...just don't get busted fresh meat.

O'Doyles Rule!!!
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Rachel

posted 8/17/07 @ 8:06 PM EST

dear red and black: please refrain from stalking my facebook and/or myspace. thanks :)

p.s. yes i am single
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wolfpackdawg

posted 8/17/07 @ 8:19 PM EST

How many of these Tards will graduate?
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R

posted 8/18/07 @ 1:08 AM EST

This sentence was in the staff editorial:
"We hope you help the start of this school year follow a different course. For once in your life, you've got a clean slate ... all but seven of you, that is. Use it wisely."

I thought newspapers were supposed to be unbiased, as opposed to vindictive and judgmental.
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S

posted 8/18/07 @ 1:46 AM EST

Originally posted by

R

 This sentence was in the staff editorial:
"We hope you help the start of this school year follow a different course. For once in your life, you've got a clean slate ... all but seven of you, that is. Use it wisely."

I thought newspapers were supposed to be unbiased, as opposed to vindictive and judgmental.


Its called the opinions page for a reason. And for everyone complaining bout "How dare they"...This is college and they preach at orientation bout how life has consequences now....and getting arrested before classes even start is pretty pathetic. So they deserve absolutely ZERO sympathy. Maybe other freshmen will learn from the article and not get arrested this weekend.
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AG

posted 8/18/07 @ 8:12 AM EST

I agree with those who say that these freshmen are suffering the consequences for their actions. Underage drinking is illegal; I knew it when I did it, and hopefully those cited in the article know, too. Do the crime, get caught, do the time.

However, my only question is why the Red and Black only posted the pictures of the freshmen. I thought there were 27 arrests? Would it have not been more fair either to post pictures of all 27 or of no one at all? The point of the article was the overall number of arrests in the first week, not how many freshmen were arrested. As soon as they only posted the pictures of the freshmen, it went from being an article that stated the facts to being an article with an agenda.
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Good Deterrent

posted 8/18/07 @ 10:23 AM EST

Originally posted by

AG

 I agree with those who say that these freshmen are suffering the consequences for their actions. Underage drinking is illegal; I knew it when I did it, and hopefully those cited in the article know, too. Do the crime, get caught, do the time.

However, my only question is why the Red and Black only posted the pictures of the freshmen. I thought there were 27 arrests? Would it have not been more fair either to post pictures of all 27 or of no one at all? The point of the article was the overall number of arrests in the first week, not how many freshmen were arrested. As soon as they only posted the pictures of the freshmen, it went from being an article that stated the facts to being an article with an agenda.



There would never be enough room to post all 27 pictures on the front of the newspaper...that would just look ridiculous... and fair, ha, when is the press ever fair? Besides, I think the point of the article was to tell freshman who don't know that there are more consequences than just getting an MIP at this univesity. I think the R&B did a good job communicating those consequences to the new freshman class, not just by stating them in the article, but also by showing the faces of their friends on the front page. I don't know about you, but it would be a helluva good deterrent for me if one of those people was my friend.
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MC

posted 8/18/07 @ 10:22 AM EST

A few thoughts:

(1) Underage drinking is illegal and people shouldn't complain if they're arrested for it (provided they're guilty). UGa is not a playpen where people don't have to obey the law of the land.

(2) Having said that, I think publishing mug shots is a bit heavy-handed. Underage drinking is a matter of obeying regulations which could have been (and used to be) different. What we need is to change the culture, not just persecute the few who happen to get caught.

Now if it were drunk driving -- I say come down very hard on drunk driving because is is a reckless act that endangers others. Publish their mug shots, send them home...

(3) EVERYBODY, don't put anything on Myspace (or anywhere else on the Web) unless you want THE WHOLE PUBLIC to see it! Even if you take it down, copies will be kept in some web archives and employers will be able to see them 10 years from now when you are applying for a job or a promotion.

Again, UGa isn't a playpen. Live in the real world, please.
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Ernest Rosenberg

posted 8/18/07 @ 3:55 PM EST

Several years ago, I served as the Editor of the Penn State Newspaper. Our mission was to serve the university and it's students. I was appalled to see a university publication taking such a degrading approach and singling out for humiliation several of their fellow students, even though the actions of those students were clearly wrong.

I would like the names and dates of birth of every Red and Black staff member so that I can commission a full background check on each of you. I will then distribute the findings of the investigation and mail the reports throughout the State of Georgia. Are you all without errors in judgment? Turnaround is always fair play.

Yes, you have first amendment rights, but you Red and Black staff members border on malice and fail the test of character. You should all hang your collective heads and resign from the facade of serving your University and your fellow students. Shame on you.
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parent of a freshman

posted 8/18/07 @ 5:36 PM EST

As a parent of a freshman, I think that the Red and Black went to far. These kids are under enough pressure, why add to that by plastering their pictures in the newspaper. While I don't condone breaking the law (I'm an ex cop) we need to look at the circumstances of each of these arrests before making them look guilty. I know one of these kids very well, I know her character and know that what happened was a mistake. For those of you, including the Red and Black staff, that are so quick to judge, take a long look at yourself and ask if you have ever done anything you wish you could take back.
Don't blame the police, they are doing their job. The Red and Black took their job too far! Next time wait til their found quilty before publishing anything!!
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The red and black is stupid!

posted 8/18/07 @ 5:38 PM EST

just to remind you guys...these kids are innocent until proven guilty so until you know the whole story who are you to judge?...every person on here that said that these freshmen deserve the consequences is incredibly hypocritical...like you guys didn't underage drink?! would you like all 33,000 students of UGA to know that you were one of the unlucky ones that got caught...? The cops are just trying to make an example of the people as is the red a black...it sucks and its not at all fair... there are plenty of people that are let go with a warning every night and there are TONS of underage kids in the bars that get away with underage drinking....just because these seven got caught they deserve to be humiliated? i disagree... way to be a credible unbiased news source...
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next nick nolte

posted 8/18/07 @ 9:23 PM EST

Of course they're innocent until proven guilty. Then again failing a breathalyser, having a beer in your hand, or turning over a fake id... pretty much seals the deal on guilt. Don't want your mugshot plastered on the front page, don't get plastered down town. Quit treating these kids like their victims and that the big, mean, Red and Black has it out for them. They broke the law, case and point. I've drank underage, but i decide not to drink to much and act like an idiot.

The reason the drinking age is 21 is because handfuls of underage kids seem content to proove that they're incredibly irresponsible. If you're going to drink, be moderate, be responsable. Its the people around you that make the good time, not the alcohol. These kids are guilty of being morons. If you're going to feel bad for them having their pictures put up, feel bad for the guys on to catch a predator....
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MC

posted 8/19/07 @ 1:34 AM EST

I make a moral distinction between:

(a) Underage drinking -- which could be just bad judgement or lack of appreciation of the law;

(b) Possession of a fake ID -- which shows the intent to break the law and deceive people;

(c) DUI -- which is reckless disregard for other people's lives.

I don't advocate any of these things, but I don't think they are all on the same level. I think The Red and Black handled some cases of (a) if they were all (b) and/or (c).

BTW, for the peanut gallery, YES there are people out here who did NOT drink underage. "Everybody does it" is an argument I also get from students who cheat on tests -- the fact is that only a few do it, but each of them believes, falsely, that almost everybody does it. I think underage drinking is the same way. If you know 100 underage drinkers, that doesn't prove we have 30,000.
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Ryan

posted 8/19/07 @ 3:10 AM EST

This is a horrible article that is ridiculous. I say we do some background research on every red and black worker and publish all of the bad things that they have done. I know for a fact that a red and black writer consumes alcohol and is under the age of 21. Why don't you worry more about your staff than a few first years.
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Clay Kimbro

posted 8/19/07 @ 1:04 PM EST

I am seeing some particularly alarming arguments on here...
don't blame the cops they are just doing their job...instead blame the press...
Well the press is just doing their job. If they did not find a way to communicate the story it might lead many other freshmen to believe this behavior goes mostly unpunished.

There is no defamation, much less malice, in this story. It reported facts that students were arrested and for what reasons they were arrested. In no way did it say they were guilty or imply they were guilty in a court of law. Printing a mug shot should not let you presume guilt. However, it is important for a newspaper to examine stories like this, because it communicates to the public who is getting arrested and why they are getting arrested, which enables the public to question if laws are fair or unfair and later if the courts judgments are fair and just or incorrect.

I will say this though... while the article did not mention that every individual listed and photographed were arrested for each thing listed (dui, open container, underage consumption and possession), it would be more clearly communicated to the public if each individuals charges/reasons for arrest were listed. That way no one can incorrectly assume that each of these individuals were arrested for driving under the influence. Even then thats to prevent people from making assumptions, its a far cry from being incorrect, defamation or malice.

and Mr. Rosenberg....Shame on you!
You should be careful before you use your "experience" to talk down to staff at the Red & Black. For starters you are not present at our college, our city, or our society/culture to understand what needs to be reported or not. I would argue they are serving their university by reporting the reality of what happens when people drink underage in Athens, GA so others are aware of reality and consequences and publicly debate whether those consequences are just or not. (but I suppose at Penn State you just preferred Happy shiny fluff stories rather than reality or maybe limiting these stories just to football players like the current online headline of the Penn State collegiate)

The reality or our local culture is in the past couple of years the public in Georgia, Athens, and nearby Atlanta is turning more against college drinking and the potential problems it causes. It is currently affecting policy changes at both our university and the local government (Athens-Clarke County). The real story here is the policy change (which was mentioned) and the effects and implementation of it. Only when the public is aware of its effects can they debate how fair the policies are or how well they work, much less any debate/public opinions on pre-existing laws. I can not think of a better way for the Red & Black to communicate the new policy, show how its implemented, and the effects of its policy than to run this story and future follow-ups of what happens to these individuals in court and university judiciary hearings.
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S

posted 8/19/07 @ 1:52 PM EST

Originally posted by

Clay Kimbro

 I am seeing some particularly alarming arguments on here...
don't blame the cops they are just doing their job...instead blame the press...
Well the press is just doing their job. If they did not find a way to communicate the story it might lead many other freshmen to believe this behavior goes mostly unpunished.

There is no defamation, much less malice, in this story. It reported facts that students were arrested and for what reasons they were arrested. In no way did it say they were guilty or imply they were guilty in a court of law. Printing a mug shot should not let you presume guilt. However, it is important for a newspaper to examine stories like this, because it communicates to the public who is getting arrested and why they are getting arrested, which enables the public to question if laws are fair or unfair and later if the courts judgments are fair and just or incorrect.

I will say this though... while the article did not mention that every individual listed and photographed were arrested for each thing listed (dui, open container, underage consumption and possession), it would be more clearly communicated to the public if each individuals charges/reasons for arrest were listed. That way no one can incorrectly assume that each of these individuals were arrested for driving under the influence. Even then thats to prevent people from making assumptions, its a far cry from being incorrect, defamation or malice.

and Mr. Rosenberg....Shame on you!
You should be careful before you use your "experience" to talk down to staff at the Red & Black. For starters you are not present at our college, our city, or our society/culture to understand what needs to be reported or not. I would argue they are serving their university by reporting the reality of what happens when people drink underage in Athens, GA so others are aware of reality and consequences and publicly debate whether those consequences are just or not. (but I suppose at Penn State you just preferred Happy shiny fluff stories rather than reality or maybe limiting these stories just to football players like the current online headline of the Penn State collegiate)

The reality or our local culture is in the past couple of years the public in Georgia, Athens, and nearby Atlanta is turning more against college drinking and the potential problems it causes. It is currently affecting policy changes at both our university and the local government (Athens-Clarke County). The real story here is the policy change (which was mentioned) and the effects and implementation of it. Only when the public is aware of its effects can they debate how fair the policies are or how well they work, much less any debate/public opinions on pre-existing laws. I can not think of a better way for the Red & Black to communicate the new policy, show how its implemented, and the effects of its policy than to run this story and future follow-ups of what happens to these individuals in court and university judiciary hearings.


AMEN! Drinking is a serious issue. If even one person was more cautious this weekend or any other weekend because of this article, then it was far and away worth publishing. I commend the Red and Black for keeping the University community up to date on important issues. The administration has done all it can to police alcohol related violations so how could the RnB not report similar stories.
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John

posted 8/19/07 @ 3:01 PM EST

Instead of posting pictures which is just dumb, why don't you investigate how much money the University and the City/County make in fines and free labor with the community service the kids produce. Why not close the bars and eliminate the tax revenue that the bars produce for serving minors. Why not arrest the bar owners.

If the local community thinks the way to eliminate underaged drinking is to arrest 19 yr olds for posession (though they are not intoxicated) is going to have an impact on underage drinking they are unfortunately mistaken.
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