The Cost of Partying
I approached one of my friends with an inspirational idea to enlighten other. The idea was to make college students more aware of the decision they make as far as partying and consequences they may receive from a night of so called fun. His name has been changed to protect his identity.
Me: Joe could you told me a little about your past and what made you come to college?
Joe: ‘I’m never going to amount to anything!’ Or at least that is what my fifth grade teacher made me believe. At ten, I felt that my life was pointless; a purposeless journey. Television was the only place I heard other children being told that they would achieve prestigious positions such as lawyers, doctors, or presidents. But in my life and neighborhood we were told we were nothing. So when I was giving the opportunity to attend college I made the best of my situation. For the first four semester of my college career I received nothing less than a 3.11 gpa for a semester, I strived to maintain a high level of academic excellence.
In an incident on August 26, 2008 there was party to celebrate the new inductees to a fraternity that was revived on West Chester University’s campus. There was a constant flow of people in this party. It seemed t be an endless supply of liquor at this after hour event. With that much liquor being distributed it was just a matter of time before the situation would end in devastation. Tempers flared over words that were exchanged. Innocent bystanders tried to calm both sides. Incoherent and uncooperative, a scuffle broke out.
Me: Joe from what you can remember may I have your perspective of what happened that night at your apartment.
Joe: I was jumped by two guys and three girls. I just remember being kicked while I was on the ground. While I was down on the grow I kept repeating ‘yall going to jump me.’ The offenders left immediately after the altercation. I was helped up by one of the neighboring residents. The police soon arrived and I was questioned about the recent events that just occurred. Alcohol lingering on my breath and refusing to participate in their investigation, they (Police) cuffed me. I was taken back into my apartment as it searched. Alcohol was found. I was then taking to the peoples building where I took a breathalyzer test. Blowing a .224 I was charged with disorderly conduct for supposedly physically engaging in an act that served no legitimate purpose and public drunkenness which is self explanatory. Two citations were giving to me with fines reaching over $820 and 10 hours were spent in a holding cell.
The Friday morning of November 7, 2008 approximately 12:30 am at another social gathering that is taken place in the same apartment that was previously mentioned. There was a hard bang at the front door:
Me: After that knock on the door Joe what was going through your mind? What was your reaction?
Joe: Looking through the peep hole I see two police officers. I told everyone at the party that it was the cops. Within an instant the music is cut off and everyone scurries off to the rooms in the back. The cop’s were let in by a non-resident that was attending the party. The cops could hear the raffling of feet and the whisper of voice coming from the back rooms. The cops ask for a resident of the apartment. Two of the residents left as soon as they heard the cops were coming. I was the only tenant there. Not wanting the full responsibility to fall on my shoulders I stayed locked in my room hoping that the cops would grow impatient with the waiting for our surrender and leave. However, the police had intentions on calling the Resident Director and keying in to every room in the apartment. There were 17 people cited for underage drinking and I was once again cited for disorderly conduct for being disruptive. Each underage citation was giving a $420 fine. I received a $310 fine for disorderly conduct and a summons to appear in court for Infliction of Harm, reckless behavior: Alcohol, on campus, underage, furnishing to minors; Alcohol, Public Intoxication; Disorderly Conduct; Sanction Violation while on Probation, and Criminal/Civil Statute. Hundreds of dollars will be spent on lawyer fees and several hours will be spent in court.
Exactly 1 week later on Friday November 14, 2008 Black Student Union was hosting a party in the Purple Gym at 9:30. Before hand there was a social gathering to drink alcohol and to listen to music. Many attendant this ‘pregaming’ for the party but only one individual got out of control
Me: Obviously Joe School was your main focus this semester; can you tell me about your most recent occurrence?
Joe: I remember going to the party from walking over from the diner. At the diner I was told one of my friends almost gotten into a fight. From the moment on my guard was up worried for my friend. So anyway, I went to the party and browsed it before I made any moves. I stayed in the background with my frat until we party walked. While party walking I was bumped. Insanely drunken this sparked something that I dearly regret. I went after the kid with intentions of hurting him. As I was being held back by friend this cause a scene. The police soon would come over to assist me out the party upset that I had to leave I push the officer lead head off of me. Two more officers came over and I was picked up off my feet and slammed firmly on my chest. The police escorted me over to the people building once again where I passed out than was taken to the hospital by an ambulance. At the hospital there was blood work taken and procedure followed. After sobering up I was allowed to leave with a friend. I was once again cited for $310 for public drunkenness and $422 for disorderly conduct.
I concluded that we all pay for our mistakes one way or another. Some pay by having a mental burden of regret linger on the conscious. However, Joe will have to pay through fines and court appears. Joe and his associate semester of partying came to a total of $8,182 plus the additional amount for the lawyer fees. The fines and fines combine could pay for an entire 15 credit semester complete with north campus double dormitory, 19 meals per week, and you would also receive a refund check of $1,376. I leave it up to you to decide for yourself if party is really worth it.