Pennsylvania schools in general, and the University of Pennsylvania specifically, received an unwelcome mention in a recent analysis of federal data submitted by colleges and universities nationwide regarding drug and alcohol-related student arrests.  Schools that receive federal funding are required to report such data under the Clery Act.  This data from 1000 medium and large colleges and universities (all with enrollments over 5,000 students) was analyzed to produce the results.

In 2014, there were 44,873 student arrests and more than 250,000 college disciplinary actions on campuses nationwide according to the report.  As to drug offenses at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) specifically, the report notes that at first glance, Penn appears to have had a tremendous increase in drug crime in 2014.  Specifically, there were 21 drug disciplinary actions in 2013 compared to 337 drug disciplinary actions in 2014; almost a 1,500 percent increase.  Further analysis of the data in fact revealed that Penn implemented new drug offense reporting procedures; hence, the reason for the spike in Penn drug disciplinary actions.

Nationwide, New York, Nevada, and Arkansas colleges and universities take the number one, two, and three spots respectively regarding states with the largest increase in campus drug arrests.  Alaska, Alabama, and Florida colleges and universities take the number one, two, and three spots respectively regarding states with the largest increase in campus alcohol arrests.  The University of Pennsylvania aside, Pennsylvania schools in general had the unwelcome distinction of being one of the top ten states for campus drug arrests and one of the top ten states for campus alcohol arrests in 2014.

Regretfully, students and parents often do not realize the potential consequences of a student being subject to campus drug and/or alcohol disciplinary action.  For example, students charged by their school with drug and/or alcohol offenses can be placed on disciplinary probation.  Although disciplinary probation is a lesser sanction compared to suspension or expulsion, a student often will have to report their school disciplinary history to graduate schools and even prospective employers.  In addition, if a student has a disciplinary history, or if the school deems it appropriate in light of the circumstances, even first-time drug and/or alcohol offenses can result in suspension or even expulsion from school.  Students and parents must recognize that college and university disciplinary sanctions can have unexpected, long-term consequences, and that these consequences do not include the burdens that come with a criminal arrest itself.

Thank you to ProjectKnow for the information regarding campus drug and alcohol issues.  ProjectKnow provides education on drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and behavioral disorders, and the following link provide more information about the ProjectKnow study: www.projectknow.com/discover/drugs-on-campus-2015/