47 cited for underage consumption

USD Graduate

Thu Feb 12 2009 19:04

This is hilarious. Blaming the *police* for enforcing the law? Blaming the *town* for not giving students something to do?

If you don't like the law quit your whining and work to get it changed. Maybe that would keep you busy.

Your name

Wed Feb 11 2009 16:22

With all these parties getting busted and how the cops are cracking down on all us USD students I dont even know what I'm going to do for activities. One theory I have that the VPD are becoming such busters is the fact that the city needs money! what not a better way but bust underage kids that dont have anything thing else better to do than drink. Its very unfrotuante that there is a lack of activities for students under the age of 21. The city of Vermillion is cashing in with these last two bust I assume their making $7000 just alone on the underages and with the drug charges close to $5000. Heck yeah these cops are happy and their not going to let up.
I would like some one to list 5 things an average student has available to them to entertain themselves. Sorry to bust on USD and the town of Vermillon but their really isnt much to offer for activities. I think this should be highly address before we start lossing our students due to the cops just busting up some fun.

Reality

Wed Feb 11 2009 15:47

To say that Delt is the best fraternity on campus is laughable. The got what they have long deserved as this is a direct reflection of the quality of their membership. Don't believe me? Pretend to be interested and go to one of their recruitment events. You will surely be offered alcohol (if not marijuana or another substance). Attend an intramural sporting event and observe that some players on the delt squad are wearing ankle braclets due to house arrest. Delt is reaping what they sow as a result of their recruitment tactics and direct defiance of University Rules.

The best thing USD could do for the image of Greek Life would be to suspend their charter indefinately.

Your name

Wed Feb 11 2009 15:23

Ahhh, life at the U. I am sorry for those that got busted over the weekend but laying blame on the Police Officers is a waste of time. It is extremely easy to tell when a party in Vermillion is going to get busted. College is a time for fun and education and part of that education is learning how to take responsibilities for your own actions. Quit wining and expecting others to clean up you messes. Own up to the fact that you did something stupid and got caught and move on. In the long run, getting a minor is not that bad...

estNwst in outrage

Wed Feb 11 2009 02:01

Viva La DTD
Whatever happened to responsible policing people could respect, Art Mabry and the VPD are a disgrace to public safety as a whole.
Since when is it their job to go hunting for minors, wouldn’t you rather have people, minors, anyone for that matter, drinking safely at one location (IE: a house like Delt, or any other fraternity, or safe location) rather than out on the streets, minors trying to drink at the bars, driving, or party hopping. Because congratulations Mabry, by closing down one of the last wet houses on campus you have opened up a whole new slew of problems for students and your self!
This all makes about as much sense as the walking check points on DDAYS (another brilliant move by the VPD)
There’s so much still in question about the entire case/investigation, that it’s ridiculous! Noise complaint? Or were the VPD just out to bust some college kids and generate some funds for Mabry to hire some more assailants to his minor hunting brigade!!

HUGE party? Pouring out into the streets? Really-nice false comment once again Mabry…If my memory isn’t mistaken there have been much larger parties on this campus broken up in the past, and how 45 people are “pouring into the streets” is beyond me!

All this entire situation proves to the grater USD community, and all of South Dakota for that matter, is that the Art Mabry has turned the Vermillion Police Department into a power hungry JOKE, and should be anything but respected!
I call for his resignation right here and now! He makes both the University and the city of Vermillion look horrible.
The Men of Delta Tau Delta are not just “frat party boys” they are one of the most respected Fraternities in the state, they had the second highest GPA of any fraternity on campus last semester, they have an outstanding philanthropy program supporting several worth while causes and have been lavished with awards for both their charitable and academic accomplishments over the years!

The USD students/Greek life/the men of Delta Tau Delta are NOT the problem here-Art Mabry’s power trip is!

Long live the USD Greek system and the outstanding gentlemen of Delta Tau Delta!
Keep your heads held high boys-we’re all behind!

Wyatt Earp

Tue Feb 10 2009 22:43

http://www.volanteonline.com/2.7416/1.790158-1.790158

But even under the most controlled social situation, Mabry says underage drinking cannot be tolerated.

"Ideally we'd like to make underage drinking socially unacceptable, kind of like smoking is beginning to become."

Wyatt Earp

Tue Feb 10 2009 22:36

Social scientists, including scholars at USD have long noted that there are some great, easy ways to increase the crime rate in a given community. First, criminalize more behavior. Second, put more cops on the streets. Third, selectively enforce laws to further a political agenda. Art Mabry has longed for the second option his entire time in Vermillion, and, because budgets are often too tight to get more cops, he actively pursues the third option. Drinking at USD is no different than drinking at other similar schools. For Art Mabry to suggest in some of the other South Dakota media that drinking continues to be a problem of rapidly increasing severity is dishonest. He understands the political games he is playing with the statistics and he needs to be called out on the carpet for it. The officers of the VPD are generally upstanding people, but they are led by a chief who has told the Volante and others from day one that he intends to eradicate alcohol consumption from Vermillion at virtually any cost. I hope that the students charged in this past weekend's events will exercise their right to be convicted by a jury so that Mabry and his tactics can be exposed to the community.

These students broke the law and it is their turn to pay for their sins. But, the real motive behind this should be brought to light.

Your name

Tue Feb 10 2009 21:07

U of Sex and Drugs (enter at your own risk)

enlightened, yet humble thinker

Tue Feb 10 2009 20:08

I heard all the cops in vermillion are short and overweight, as can be seen on their trading cards

Your name

Tue Feb 10 2009 20:03

Just let them drink. VPD has affectively ended a system of controlled underage drinking in a safe environment.

Your name

Tue Feb 10 2009 16:22

I just want to add that the incident isn't a reflection of all students in Greek Life. I don't think that Greek students behave any worse than students who aren't affiliated with Greek Life. The purpose of the organizations is to instill values in members. While this incident doesn't reflect those values, the philanthropy, leadership, and high scholarship that Greek students offer should also be remembered. Greek Life will continue to promote good values in members. So while the incident is unfortunate, the rest of Greek students shouldn't be looked down on. Would this incident be reported on differently if it was a regular house party?

Current USD Student

Tue Feb 10 2009 13:41

I would have to agree with Educated and Enlightened. It's rude and uneducated to protest the very people whom you will call when you're in an accident or need help. Also, as college students, we know the risks of partying and should take responsibilities for our own actions. I feel sorry for the Greek system because of this incident because of it affecting them as a whole. Yes there will be labeling and things like this happen every year, it's just a matter of how long it will have an affect on Campus and Greeks.

The true rational thinker

Tue Feb 10 2009 13:32

Students...get over it, you broke the law!!!

Educated and enlightened

Tue Feb 10 2009 13:01

Dear Educated, Rational Thinker, I have a college degree. But I don't need that to figure out that breaking the law can get you a criminal record. I also personally know some of the fine officers you refer to and many of them have 'upper level education'. Some have served in our armed forces, many are also parents and active community members. They have experienced life in some of it's ugliest forms. Accidents and deaths aren't pretty. I wouldn't want to be the one who has to tell parents their child isn't coming home because some idiot was under the influence. Maybe when you grow up you will be enlightened.

Your name

Tue Feb 10 2009 10:37

Just wait until VPD starts a riot, then they'll rethink about what their main priority is.

Your name

Tue Feb 10 2009 10:16

Get over it people. If you're drinking and under the age of 21, you know you risk getting picked up for underage consumption. And you know what, it's not like it's a count of assault & battery on your record-- it's hardly more than a speeding ticket. If you're upset that you got one, don't attend risky parties!

Educated, Rational Thinker

Tue Feb 10 2009 09:59

With continued effective policing in the Vermillion area we can be sure of criminal records for the majority of the student body. Any of you officers ever considered the labeling theory? Something you would have learned in college, had you achieved upper level education. God Save USD if these busts continue to occur. I sure would think differently about attending USD had I been a high school senior in this day and age.

Disgruntled Student

Tue Feb 10 2009 09:49

Honestly I haven't ever been busted here, but can objectively observe the reality of the situation through comparison of my experiences at a previous institution. Though I was not at the party there tend to be a number of inherent risks when hosting a party and I doubt they were being stupid about it, especailly with the VPD's increased attention to the issue. If you have minors at your residence there are a number of ways you could be busted which have happened in Vermillion since I've been here. (i.e. them calling 911, geting picked up on the way home and tiping off the the police, etc.) The possibilities are endless, thus refuting your point.

Your name

Tue Feb 10 2009 09:25

Seriously, is there anything more predictable than whining about the police after a big party gets busted. Here's a clue...if you're going to have a big party, don't be stupid about it.

Disgruntled Student

Tue Feb 10 2009 07:14

Remember the time when VPD's primary concern was to keep people safe? I guess a safe environment is only the concern of the police forces at every other D-1 university in the nation. Maybe if Vermillion invested more in its univeristy this would be less of a problem. The entertainment opportunities in this town are virtually nonexistent. The problem is the VPD would have nothing to do if they did not keep its focus on nonviolent crimes and giving a significant portion of the student population criminal records. Plus, it is probably not as fun being an officer if you do not strike fear in the population you are protecting. It is probably better that way so when something significant occurs they will be less inclined to call the police for aid (i.e. a student suffering from acute alcohol intoxication). At the VPD's pace we should be able to register a death in no time. Hopefully then the police will do REAL police work. Adhering to some crazy concept of serving and protecting the other half of Vermillion's population (the students).