Alcohol poisons Europe cross-cultural

An EMU student was hospitalized in Basel, Switzerland for alcohol poisoning a few weeks ago while on the cross-cultural in Europe, according to anonymous students in the group and the cross-cultural office.

According to a friend also on the trip, while moving from one club to another in Basel, one student drank until his blood alcohol content (BAC) was 1.7 percent. This is 17 to 21 times the legal limit for adults operating a vehicle in the U.S., depending on the state.

The student was taken to a hospital and released several hours later.

This being a first offense, the student had to write a reflective paper on what he had learned and how he would contribute to the group in positive ways, and he had to re-sign the community lifestyle commitment.

"We try to avoid highly legalistic consequences to every instance," said Vice-President for Student Life Ken L. Nafziger. "We try to tailor outcomes to particular behavior."

Nafziger said common consequences include a fine, withdrawal from activities, referral for alcohol awareness education, and referral for assessment by EMU counselors.

Before going on any cross-cultural, all students are required to sign the EMU Cross-Cultural Program Standards of Conduct Contract. The contract includes a statement that says "any student in the program who engages in ... illegal or irresponsible use of alcohol ... will be dismissed."

"The group leader determines with the group what is considered both legal and socially appropriate according to the culture that they are visiting," said Nafziger.

According to several students on the trip, group leader Kim Schmidt made it clear that any involvement in another incident would be grounds for being sent home immediately.

While the group has moved on from the incident, one student pointed out some awkwardness within the group. "Things are real tense between some of us," the student said. "But we're moving on."