BIG WOMAN ON CAMPUS?

Most people know that dating can be quite a challenge, but with the increasing population of women students on campus, dating for college women is even tougher. More and more women are attending college, making the classrooms and somewhat uneven.

The statistics are overwhelming. The percentage of female students in 1970-1971 was 43.4%, but in the year 2000, this number has skyrocketed to 56.3%. But why is the male enrollment dropping so much? Is this a nationwide phenomenon?

Well, recent studies show that women are outnumbering men on campus, but not at the ten most selective schools. Now I wonder why that is. Are these schools afraid to educate females? Are they afraid to see a women president in their lifetime? Whatever the reasons may be, schools like Princeton still find themselves with the majority of men attending their schools. But on the other hand, the University of La Verne in California, has a 7-to-1 female /male ratio.

It also seems that current trend suggest more women moving on to attend law schools and graduate programs. But, the male minority still remains a question in the minds of people.

One reason for the drop in male enrollment to colleges could be the because men are turning to a different type of education. Some may be going right into the job force right after high school, and working on such trades as becoming a mechanic or a carpenter. Most trade jobs do not require an education, they require on the job training. Another reason may be that more and more high school graduates are enlisting in the Armed Forces. Lastly, a reason for why the male enrollment has dropped across the country, maybe the female population just got smarter.

For whatever the reason for the rise of the women population in college, there is a sex change on campus.

I never really thought that public displays of affection was such an issue on college campuses. But, I guess I was wrong. The Central Connecticut State University newspaper, the Recorder, did a great editorial showing both sides of the public dispalys of affection issue, that I barely knew existed.

Underage drinking is a problem on every college campus across the entire United States. Everyone who attends college know that, but the repercussions and solutions differ from state to state and college to college.

But how do we stop underage drinking on college campuses? Princeton suggests using wristbands to enter local eating facilites and drinking establishments. Basically it involves everyone 21 or over would get a wristband upon entering, just like you would at a club. This way would be easy to spot underage drinkers. Duke University has a couple different tactics. One would be calling the parents of an underage drinker which I completely disagree with. (I will get to more of that later) Another tactic is using the Duke Card. This technique would be like using the CCSU Blue Chip card to enter Elmer's. The card would be swiped upon entering the bar which would then indicate to the bouncer your birthday, along with other information. So, the card has your picture and date of birth on it just like a license would, so I don't really see the sense of all that swiping. Most college bars, especially Elmer's would let you in with your Grandmother's ID. I don't think that a specific ID card would help that situation.

So certain colleges have tried different techniques to stop underage drinking. The wristbands would not really help too much around CCSU, because you need to be 21 to get into most bars, but clubs on the other hand, already use this and seem to get postive results. Using a student ID card, would be like using a license, so I don't see much sense in that either. The one so-called solution to prevent underage drinking in college is calling the parents of the underage drinker. I do not really consider this a solution because college is college and drinking will happen. The older that you get, the more responsiblity you need to take. I also think that everyone learns from their mistakes, even if they have to make them a couple of times before learning a lesson.

But, death does happen while drinking. Even though death and serious injury does not happen very often, it is taken very seriously when it does. But there are other things that do happen while drinking that many people do not consider. In a 1997 College Alcohol Survey the following results surprised me.
Alcohol is involved with:
25% drop outs
38% achedemic failures
64% violent behaviors
66% participation of unsafe sex
75% acquaintance rapes

I am not really sure of a solution to underage drinking on college campuses. I do think that it will always be a problem in which society has to deal with. Some suggest a liquor permit, much like a driving permit, to slowly introduce teens into drinking alcohol. I think the best way to deal with underage drinking is for the parents and university to get more involved. I think that being able to openly talk with parents or a guardian about alcohol would be a good first step to helping to control underage drinking. I have never lived on campus, so I don't know if CCSU has special types of alcohol programs for dorm residents, but I think that education on the topic would help. I also don't think that having a "dry campus" solves alcohol issues. I think that they are designed to make the parents feel more at ease. I don't think I know anyone who hasn't let alcohol touch their lips until they were the legal age of 21. College is about experimentation, and alcohol falls into that category. It is just how far that the experimentation goes that causes problems.

Rohypnol, also known as the "date rape" drug, has been spread across college campuses throughout the United States. From California to New York, there have been reported cases of sexual assaults, many of which the offender uses rohypnol to drug the victim. Fortunately I have not known anyone personally that has been sexually assaulted with the use of rohypnol, but many people across the nation have personal stories to share. Rohypnol is an illegal drug that is ten times more potent than Valium. It is often used in conjunction with other drugs, most commonly alcohol, and is sold at less than $5.00 per tablet which makes it easy for teens to buy. About a half hour after the "date rape drug" is slipped into the victims drink by the attacker, the victim may start to feel a number of symptoms including: dizziness, nausea, simultaneously feeling too hot or too cold, and also disoriented. She may experience difficulty speaking and moving, and then pass out. Many of the victims have no memories of what happened while under the drug's influence. The drug has no taste or odor, so it is completely undetectable once in a drink. But, there are ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim of rape under the influence of rohypmnol. These simple suggestions can help to keep you safe and even save your life. 1) Be wary about accepting drinks from anyone you don't know well or long enough to trust. 2) If you are accepting a drink, make sure it's from an unopened container and that you open it yourself. 3) Don't put your drink down and leave it unattended. While looking through my Criminology book, I came across a nationwide study which was conducted on college campuses and revealed some astounding findings:
* 52% of women students have experienced some form of sexual victimization.
* 1 in 8 college women have been victims of rape.
* 1 in 12 college men admitted to sexually abusing women but did not consider themselves rapists.
* Of the women raped, almost 75% didn't identify it as such.
* 47% of rapes were by first or casual dates or by romantic acquaintances.
* Over 1/3 of the women didn't discuss the rape with anyone, and over 90% didn't report it to the police.

I don't know if it is just me, but I think that every relationship has a "down" time. People get into ruts. For whatever reason it may be, it does happen. I have been with my boyfriend for over two years. A routine definately begins to take place over a long period of time. And romance? I don't think I've seen a candle lit since the candles on my birthday cake. It becomes harder and harder to find new places to go to and it gets dull seeing the same faces over and over at your usual "spots." It almost feels as though I am a character on "Cheers" where "everyone knows my name." But finding date ideas is also another problem. Sometimes it is hard for two people to find time for eachother....especially if the two of them are college students who also work. But, I think that it is important to stick through the hard times, even when you fall into ruts with a partner because it will only make you stronger. Experimenting, finding new things to do, it all a part of the excitement and fun of being in a relationship. Who knows? You may find something that you love to do that you would have never thought of trying.