Alcohol abuse is like throwing a pebble in water. There is the initial splash, but it doesn’t stop. The splash creates a ripple that gets larger, affecting family, friends and the community.

“It can affect so many more people,” Sgt. Keith Stanton, of the UT Police Department, said.

Stanton serves as the coordinator of the UTPD Alcohol Division Program, a program for students who commit an infraction involving alcohol.

Bryan Coker, director of Student Judicial Affairs, said the program was for first time offenses involving minor cases of using, possessing or being under the influence of alcohol on university property.

“The program is an alternative to official formal disciplinary action,” Coker said.

Stanton said the program is a 90-minute class that provides the students with a lot of information on the laws and statistics of alcohol abuse.

According to Stanton, the students also watch a 20-minute video about a DUI incident, an episode involving sexual assault and alcohol, and a person who suffered alcohol poisoning.

“We really try to stress the dire consequences of alcohol abuse,” Stanton said.

By going to the program, Coker said a student avoids a permanent student judicial record.

The course ends with an exam that must be passed. There are usually 11 or 12 courses each semester.

“It’s a really good partnership between Student Affairs and university police,” Coker said. “They (UTPD) do an excellent job.”