In the past month, three college students have died in separate alcohol-related incidents around the country, but University officials said they remain optimistic about local binge drinking prevention efforts.
Last Sunday, a Virginia Tech student died from alcohol poisoning. Hospital reports noted that he had been drinking heavily over the course of five hours between Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
"It's always a tragedy when a student dies, especially in this incident where heavy alcohol consumption was involved," said Ed Spencer, associate vice president of student affairs at Virginia Tech.
Three weeks ago, a sophomore at Colorado State University was found dead in a fraternity house because of alcohol poisoning. Reports said that she had consumed the equivalent of 40 beers in an 11-hour period.
In another recent Colorado incident, a University of Colorado at Boulder student was found unconscious in an off-campus fraternity house and died before authorities arrived at the scene.
Susan Bruce, director of the Center for Alcohol and Substance Education at the University of Virginia, said members of the University community sympathize with the families and friends of those who died.
"We're obviously saddened by the loss of life, and our hearts go out to the parents, friends, and family members of the victims," Bruce said. "We hope that it heightens awareness among students that drinking too much too quickly can kill you."
The University is no stranger to alcohol-related deaths.
A student died in a drunk-driving accidentin June 2003 and another student, Leslie Ann Balz, died in November 1997 after attempting to drink a fifth of alcohol at the year's final football game.
Many of the alcohol abuse prevention programs in use today were created after the 1997 incident.
Bruce said University students are getting the message about the dangers of binge drinking.
"We really have a very comprehensive and strategic plan in place," she said. "At U.Va., we've had an increase in our efforts over the past six years. Our data seems to indicate that the students are experiencing fewer negative consequences of alcohol abuse."
Bruce made it clear that students should not abandon a friend who had too much to drink.
"Students should, at a minimum, stay all night with someone who is intoxicated," she said. "They should check their breathing, and pinch them to make sure that they are awake."
Bruce also said that an individual's blood alcohol level often rises even after he or she has stopped drinking, adding that this may have played a role in the death of Balz and the student at Colorado State University.
Hoos Sober President Nick Gamse said he thought so many alcohol-related deaths occur on college campuses because students come to school not knowing their limits when drinking.
"It has to do with people introducing themselves to alcohol for the first time," Gamse said. "They don't necessarily know how to draw a line."
Colorado State University spokesperson Brad Bohlander said his school has been addressing binge drinking-related issues for some time and expressed his grief over the recent death on the CSU campus.
"The first reaction, of course, was shock and sorrow," Bohlander said.
Bohlander cited a survey from his school showing that many students there are responsible drinkers.
He said the survey showed that 20 percent of CSU students did 80 percent of total drinking.
Bohlander said that CSU will continue to promote its alcohol awareness programs.
"As far as reputation, we're going to do the right thing," he said. "Reputation will take care of itself."
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