Charleston and Eastern have worked to receive special recognition for their efforts in alcohol enforcement and alcohol education.

During a conference in 2010, the city of Charleston received recognition for its cooperation with Eastern in alcohol enforcement.

Heather Webb, the director of student standards, attended the conference with city officials, Chief Deputy Dave Chambers and Lt. Brad Oyer.

Webb said that her office has made efforts to familiarize themselves with the Charleston police alcohol enforcement.

“EIU is committed to not only safety and well-being of our students, but also a positive relationship with the Charleston community,” Webb said.

Webb and Chief Bryan Baker have seen local signs of their progress throughout the last year.

Webb said faculty members living in Charleston have seen less student disruptive behavior.

The consequences for first time offenders vary depending if an offender is caught by the Charleston Police Department or the University Police Department.

Chief Baker said first-time offenders have an option to take a four-hour alcohol education class.

The class costs about $350 dollars, though students can avoid going to court.

Second-time offenders will go to court and could have a possibility of a suspended license, Baker said.

With Eastern student offenders, Webb said the consequences depend on the nature of the incident.

Webb described possible consequences “as fines, required attendance at educational classes, community service, restitution for damaged property and disciplinary probation.”

In severe cases, students could be asked to leave the university, Webb said.

“No matter what choices our students make, we want them to remain safe and we want everyone who is part of both the EIU and the Charleston community to be able to live in environment where they are comfortable,” Webb said.

The conference was called the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention National Leadership Conference.

Various law officer professionals, health and alcohol education, higher education administration, and state agencies throughout the country attended the conference.

Elizabeth Edwards can be reached

at 581-2812 or eaedwards@eiu.edu