Who would have guessed? Not me...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A poll about 4/20]
http://www.vermontcynic.com/main.cfm?include=results

currently:  (mozilla I'm gonna trust you now, html don't let me down)
I'm glad it's gone.

	

	 

	 (*33%*)

Bring it back.

	

	 

	 (*42%*)

I'm looking forward to Spring Fest.

	

	 

	 (*3%*)

It was peaceful, I don't have a problem with it.

	

	 

	 (*22%*)


[looks like spring fest is going to be a blast. ha.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Article from CBS...note it's also the shortest news item of the day]
http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=1782883&ClientType=Printable

Drinking and Drugs on Campus

Burlington, Vermont - April 13, 2004

The University of Vermont school newspaper, The Cynic, unofficially
surveyed some students. Respondents report drinking alcohol at least
twice a week and 57% admit trying drugs like heroin, cocaine and
ecstacy. The newspaper polled 180 students, just a sample of the 7200
undergraduates on campus.

Joan Goodchild - Channel 3 News
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[And finally the full results of the cynic student poll... conclusions
first!]

Among our more interesting findings were:
-57% of UVM students believe there is no drug problem at UVM
-45% of UVM students sometimes skip homework to party
-42% of UVM students have done hard drugs
-41% of UVM students never smoke pot
-UVM students average six alcoholic drinks when they drink
-60% of UVM students eat out 2-3 time per week
-46% of UVM students have one sexual partner per semester
-44% of UVM students don't always have safe sex
-33% of UVM students often feel stressed
-45% of UVM students are often tired

http://www.vermontcynic.com/news/2004/04/13/News/The-Vermont.Cynics.Lifestyle.Survey-658089.shtml

Vermont Cynic - News
Issue: 4/13/04
------------------------------------------------------------------------

*The Vermont Cynic's Lifestyle Survey*
/By / /Scott Woodruff/

We polled 180 UVM undergrads from every possible area of the UVM
community. We asked 35 questions under six categories. The categories
ranged from food to sexual activity to academics. The questions were
designed to bring in information that would not normally be advertised
in any UVM literature. Our results may not represent the entire 7,900
undergraduate students at UVM, statistically it is the best cross
section of the students at UVM.



The average UVM student. What does that mean? Who is the average UVM
student? Do they have tightly woven dreadlocks with homemade patch-work
corduroy pants, or do they wear expensive designer clothing with their
hair neatly manicured? Does the average UVM student stay in on a
Thursday night reading a history of psychology book or do they scour
East Campus for a hint of a room party? Who are these 7,900 people that
make up the University of Vermont? Why are they here, and why are they
staying?

The Vermont Cynic realizes that this is the eternal question for many
UVM outsiders, and even insiders: Who is a UVM student? That is where
the Vermont Cynic Lifestyle survey comes into play. The Cynic realizes
that saying, It's what's inside that counts sounds rather corny and a
bit cliché. But we also realize that it is easy to walk into the library
and see so many different people that look like they fit into so many
diverse categories. But behind all these appearances is what professors
look to challenge on a day-to-day basis, employers hire, and people fall
in love with.

The Cynic took the many Lifestyle responses and carefully studied and
dissected each and every one of them. We surveyed freshman to seniors of
all ages and types. We surveyed business, art, psychology, and English
majors. Greek and non-Greek. We found that UVM students exercise seven
days a week or not at all, have eight sexual partners per semester or
remain abstinent, don't ever drink or would drink on the eighth day of
the week if there were one, and even admit to thinking that Gary Cherone
is the best lead singer for Van Halen. Without further delay: The
results of The Vermont Cynic Lifestyle Survey.

Eating on campus after a while can become repetitive and tedious at
times. To some people the mass produced food just doesn't appeal to them
seven days a week for three meals day while some can't even stomach one
meal. For others who live off campus, anything that is made in the
kitchen never stacks up to anything Mom ever made and she isn't even
here to do your dishes. That's why 60% of UVM goes out to eat or gets
take out two to three times a week and spends $31 to $40 on average each
week.

Overall, on a scale of one to seven (seven being extremely satisfied),
there is a level of satisfaction with all UVM dining of just over three,
which equates to 'less than somewhat satisfied'. If given the choice,
62% would either lower the prices or provide more variety of options.
This variety could mean healthier food or different brands of food
offered altogether. A few respondents also expressed the desire to allow
guests to use block meals instead of having the guest's meal deducted
from points. Another faithful fowl fan preferred continuity over variety
by serving chicken patties every day of the week.

We found that on average, UVM students skip 1.06 classes each week while
spending 4.86 hours on homework. The overall satisfaction with the
variety of classes that UVM offers is 'fairly satisfactory' but there
were some interesting suggestions. Numerous respondents suggested more
journalism and communications, and easier access to art classes for
non-art majors. Others wanted more languages such as Arabic. Some
expressed the desire for a marine biology major. Then there were some
who think way outside the box and suggested an hunting class, underwater
basket weaving, and a class on Bob Dylan.

83% of those surveyed always buy the required texts for their classes.
There is also a 5.13 out of seven level of satisfaction with the
professors at UVM. College is a time for socializing, meeting new people
and trying new things. This fact is undeniable. This is why the social
scene at UVM is somewhat of a legend. The events of 4/20 have received
national media attention and the tag of "party school" that UVM may have
picked up in the mid-90's, is trying to be shaken quickly by the current
administration.

UVM students drink 2.2 days a week and 55% consume 3-6 drinks per night.
Nearly 45% of the respondents say they "sometimes" skip homework to
drink or go to a party. 57% admit to having done hard drugs such as
cocaine, heroin or ecstasy at one time or another.
While marijuana appears to be the most prevalent drug on campus, with
the evidence in the fact that there is an unofficial holiday in a week
where students gather outside and smoke marijuana in public. However,
41% say they never smoke marijuana and 11.5% say they smoke it once a
month or less.

When asked if the UVM student population had a drug problem, 57.7% said
"No". When asked to justify their "No" answer, some said they don't feel
as if there is any pressure from anyone to try drugs. Numerous
respondents said that they feel UVM's drug issues are no worse than any
other school's, therefore UVM does not have a drug problem. This sort of
mentality concerns UVM Police Chief, Gary Margolis.

"That is a ridiculous argument, the perception that it is no worse than
any where else," said Margolis. "If a problem exists elsewhere as well
as here, that doesn't mean it is not a problem...

"Developing a drug and drinking problem in college is a very dangerous
thing. It can affect you beyond college and into your life with your
job, wife, and kids."

One anonymous student said, "People have just become desensitized to
drug use. They see it from day one when they get here and it usually
doesn't get better from there, so they are just used to it after a
while. Drugs have become normal to them so they don't consider it a
problem."
42.3% feel that there is a drug problem at UVM. Some who answered "Yes"
feel that "most students come to class unprepared and 'out of it'.
Others looked to the root of the problem and feel as if there is too
much money available to be spent on drugs that are altogether too easy
to get a hold of in the first place.

Health experts say that for your mind and body to completely recover
from the previous day's activities, one must sleep eight hours each
night. Our respondents get an average of 7.3 hours of sleep each night
but 43% say they are often tired. Similarly, 82% say they are sometimes
or often stressed and 8% say they are always stressed. Deb Renshaw,
Senior Counselor at the Counseling Center, suggests that finding balance
in your life is the answer to both fatigue and stress.

"One preventative measure is to find balance," says Renshaw. "Balance
between the social, academic, professional aspects of life and learning
how to say no. Not just to drugs or alcohol but to taking on too many
things at once. Following through with things in a timely manner, asking
for help or assistance and studying with a partner during finals can
make all the difference in the world."

Deb also suggested exercise as an excellent outlet to relieve stress by.
When stressed, 43% of UVM students exercise or do yoga. "Exercising
releases positive endorphins which are feel good chemicals. By
exercising, you can eliminate toxic chemicals such as adrenaline which
creates a lot of stress."

Sexually, the UVM campus is not as active as one may think after
spending a year in a dorm. Just over 50% of UVM students are sexually
active one or less times a week and do it with two people per campus.
9.1% is sexually active more than six times per week . Overall, 52.7%
always practices safe sex.

When it comes to sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, and pregnancy, UVM
is not overly concerned with any of things despite the 47.3% of UVMers
who don't practice safe sex. On a scale of one to seven (seven being
extremely concerned, one being not at all concerned), respondents were
worried at a level of 2.3 of becoming a parent while at UVM, 2.6 of
contracting AIDS, and 3.2 of contracting an STD. On the survey itself,
instead of circling the "1" which would have been the numerical
equivalent of being the least concerned about contracting STDs, AIDS, or
becoming a parent, some went as far as to circle the "Not at all"
concerned for all three questions.

Conclusions

Among our more interesting findings were:
-57% of UVM students believe there is no drug problem at UVM
-45% of UVM students sometimes skip homework to party
-42% of UVM students have done hard drugs
-41% of UVM students never smoke pot
-UVM students average six alcoholic drinks when they drink
-60% of UVM students eat out 2-3 time per week
-46% of UVM students have one sexual partner per semester
-44% of UVM students don't always have safe sex
-33% of UVM students often feel stressed
-45% of UVM students are often tired

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