A new school year could mean new trends for campus drinking statistics. The class of 2009 surprised members of Residential Life this year by not overdoing the party scene.

This year, freshmen did not live up to the expectations of wild parties and out of control drinking. For the first time in four years, there were no hospital transports for freshmen due to alcohol related incidents.

"We've already seen not only hospital transports down, overall incident reports of illegal use are down," said Allen Machielson, Director of Residential Life.

While the freshmen have changed expectations around campus, there were no changes in the drinking behavior of other classes according to Machielson.

There are many theories as to why such a change has occurred this year. Freshmen say that there wasn't access to any sort of alcohol for their first weekend at SHU.

"We can never find any sort of party or anything, I was really surprised," said Kelly Castaldi, freshmen, Shelton.

"I guess [drinking] is usually off campus," said Krystina Jimenez, freshmen, Wallkill, N.Y.

With a full two weeks of the semester now complete, Sacred Heart is rejoicing the change seen in this year's freshmen class. Those involved with alcohol issues on campus are pleased with this fresh start.

Psychology Professor Ron Hamel said, "It is a positive finding that no freshmen were transported to the hospital the first weekend of school."

"It's hard to know early on," said Machielson. However, he and others are hopeful that this first weekend is a good indication of what the rest of the semester will bring.

One theory has attributed the change in behavior to the goals and attitudes of this year's freshmen class. Rather than focusing on finding the next big party, freshmen this year have been giving more attention to campus activities.

"They have shown a different type of interest," said Leonora Campbell, Judicial Officer.

"It varies from year to year, but a huge number of freshmen have signed up to be involved."

The administration has seen a certain initiative from the class of 2009.

"The freshmen class this year seems very involved, with record numbers coming out to the activities fair," said the Director of Residential Life.

While freshmen this year have been showing a greater interest in campus activities than in years past, they also came to this university with a different type of education already implanted in them.

Janice Kessler, the Alcohol & Other Drug Program Coordinator confirmed that this year's freshmen class were different than others.

"What happens with freshmen is that they usually aren't very experienced with alcohol," said Kessler. But this past year, at orientation, Kessler gave a lecture to incoming freshmen on the effects of alcohol poisoning.

"I'd like to think that that had an impact," said Kessler.

During this lecture Kessler also found that these freshmen had already had experiences with alcohol.

"We asked how many students personally knew someone who had died from alcohol. Ninety-nine percent raised their hands," said Kessler.

Kessler, who is starting her fifth year at SHU, said the number of students who raise their hands when asked that same question has been increasing with each year. With numbers increasing, Kessler, Campbell and others have started Peer Education Coalition.

"Sometimes students don't want to go to a counselor," said Campbell. Many students were trained on how to deal with drug and alcohol related situations. The goal of Peer Education is to be available to the students and help them deal with any issues they may have.

"We know that college students are going to drink," said Kessler, "our goal is reducing that high risk drinking behavior."

So far, Sacred Heart's freshmen are off to a good start.