July 3, 2008

U. of Evansville President Arrested on Drunken-Driving Charges

The University of Evansville’s president was arrested last night for driving while intoxicated, and in a statement released today by the university, he acknowledged making “a very serious mistake,” apologized, and pledged to “take every necessary action to ensure that it doesn’t happen again,” according to the Evansville Courier & Press.

The president, Stephen G. Jennings, who is 61, will participate in a special program for first-time drunken-driving offenders. He also will face charges that include operating a vehicle while intoxicated and refusing a chemical test, the newspaper reported.

According to an affidavit filed by the police officer who made the arrest, Mr. Jennings weaved among lanes, drove over a median, and almost hit several barrels marking off a construction site. When he pulled the car over, the officer said Mr. Jennings responded to questions with slurred speech, initially stating he had not consumed alcohol, but later saying he had drunk two beers. Mr. Jennings then failed three physical tests of his sobriety, the police officer said, and a breath test indicated a blood-alcohol content of 0.14 percent, nearly twice the legal limit in Indiana.

Mr. Jennings, who has been president of the university since 2001 and previously was president of Oklahoma City University, was released from custody this morning. —Andrew Mytelka

Comments

1. “initially stating he had not consumed alcohol, but later saying he had drunk two beers”

   A university president told a lie?! I am shocked — shocked I tell you.

   — Josephine    Jul 3, 06:19 PM    #

2. Good job for the officer that didn’t let him go.

   — RMM    Jul 3, 10:28 PM    #

3. Dr. Jennings is a good man, and I am sorry to hear about this event. Although certainly not an excuse, the stress of running a University full of useless bureaucrats finally got to him. I wish him the best.

   — John    Jul 4, 01:42 PM    #

4. He MUST resign.

   — Gretchen    Jul 6, 07:29 AM    #

5. re:#4 “the stress of running a University full of useless bureaucrats finally got to him”

   are you kidding me?! making outrageous excuses while saying “it’s not an excuse” ain’t gonna fly here.

   he could have injured someone driving drunk, period. no excuses.

   — ron    Jul 6, 11:05 AM    #

6. To #5:

   Why should he resign? If he has issues, he should have the right to treatment just like any other employee.

   Now, he has issues to face. He spent some time in a lockup. That is not a world he is used to and he won’t soon forget it. He will also have to retain representation, pay fines, and do some sort of community service. Because this is in the public record, let’s hope it’s a sobering experience for him.

   Drinking can take over almost anyone’s life. Yes, I know people who have dealt with this. It is not an easy issue to deal with and it is up to him to change. He can, but it will take strength and support. His family is also a part of this. If drinking is a theme in his life, his family will need treatment and support too.

   Finally, everyone that night was lucky no one was hurt.

   Good luck buddy. Take it one day at a time.

   — Mr. X    Jul 6, 01:53 PM    #

7. #6,
   While I am impressed with your command of the English language, what “ain’t gonna fly here” is you impying something that I did not mean. I never suggested that I condone drunk driving. If you dare to insult me, please try harder.

   — John    Jul 6, 02:17 PM    #

8. Steve Jennings is an outstanding
   college president. It is unfortnuate that someone thought that the entire community of a college he had
   served as president with distinction should be sent
   this message annonymously.
   It seems mean-spirited, as do
   some of the spiteful, self-
   righteous tone and suggestions of some of the
   responses. Best of luck, Steve.
   I’m glad you are safe, that
   no one else was injured,
   and that you are resolved
   to do what it takes to insure
   that such an incident will not
   recur. I know you will succeed. All best, Mel W.

   — Melvin Wilk    Jul 6, 07:20 PM    #

9. Does everyone who ever gets a DUI have to resign from their job? No? Then why should he? As long as he gets on the right path, which he sounds like he is, he can end up being a model and encouragement to others who face the same tough situation.

   — Moi    Jul 7, 01:37 AM    #

10. What a marvelous opportunity for President Jennings to make what could be his most important contribution to higher education. He should start serving on the college judicial review board sitting on alcohol cases. He should talk to all students who have alcohol issues and every student in the institution at some point about responsible— and irresponsible alcohol use. He should keep a blog of experience during the legal proceeding and memorialize the emotional and financial costs of his indiscretion. He should make YouTube videos for student alcohol awareness. He could successfully teach important concepts starting from his negative example. Good could come of this. People say he is a good man.

    — Philip J Tramdack    Jul 7, 07:17 AM    #

11. Are you folks kidding me? What you guys are saying is that it is OK to make a mistake that could have killed your loved one if you lived in his hometown. He is supposed to lead by example. What kind of message are we sending our kids that attend that university if he stays? He doesn’t deserve to stay in that position. He probably makes 6 times more than the average worker at the university. I am sure he could afford a cab. With all of you guys saying its OK; he made a mistake, I feel less safe hitting the road. Do you guys know how many times drunk drivers are repeat offenders? I would show him the door by the end of the week.

    Signed,

    Glad I don’t send my kids to that university.

    — Are you guys kidding?    Jul 7, 08:01 AM    #

12. It is indeed unfortunate when a person of Dr. Jennings position is arrested for operating while intoxicated — both individually and for the school community. However, I’m not sure I agree this should be a career ender. Whether or not he has a drinking problem or simply made a mistake, I do not know. Presumably he will undergo a court-ordered substance abuse evaluation which will indicate whether treatment is needed. I prosecuted drunk driving cases for a few years and can say that for most people the very fact of the arrest and the shame of the situation is enough to deter future similar behavior. I think an appropriate disposition is to have him plead guilty (unless there is a defense to be had), put him on probation and let him prove that he can remain sober and crime-free. This would teach the students both accountability and redemption. A criminal justice system needs both.

    — babylawyer    Jul 7, 08:51 AM    #

13. As someone who regulary has had to deal with the conseuqences of alcohol abuse among college students, President Jennings situation represents another instance in which poor judgment put many people at risk. However, my hard-nosed attitude about dealing with alcohol abuse is tempered by recognizing that alcohol abuse is best addressed by effective treatment and appropriate punishment that reinforces the value of treatment. Rather than speculate, I would prefer that the Courts adjudicate this matter properly and assign treatment and punishment as the individual circumstances warrant. What I hope will not happen is a whitewash or meaningless penalty because of the perpetrator’s status in the community. By the same token, I hope he is not excessively punished because of his status in the community.

    DWI, DUI, and related actions are violations of the law which put lives unneccessarily at risk. I hope the system will work properly and effectively in this case, as I wish it would in all others. Post #13 seems to capture my sentiments well from the perspective of the courts, as opposed to my perspective from campus policy enforcement.

    — Rick    Jul 7, 09:13 AM    #

14. I see everyone’s point in this matter. If this would have been a mid-level administrator, the person would have been forced to resign. Drunk driving has serious consequences which includes the death of innocent people. Is this the first time he drove his car drunk? Perhaps. I would venture to say no. The court of public opinion will probably decide his fate.

    I would offer that one of the reasons there is a feeling of sympathy is because alcohol use is so accepted (I would also venture to say that driving after having a few drinks is something that many are guilty of). What if he was found driving in a “drugged out” state say, on cocaine, would he garner the same sympathy? Nice guys do drive drunk and ultimately kill people.

    Just recently, a good friend of mine was driving while his alcohol level was over the legal limit. He crashed into three cars and hit a man that was entering his own car. The scene that he described was numbing and sobering. He stated that he was in a trance as people at the scene were trying to roll his car off the man. After my friend got out his car, all he could see was the man’s intestines hanging out of his body and blood everywhere. He said that image will be seared in his memory forever. The friend was unhurt in all this mayhem, but the man…well; a tragic victim of my intoxicated friend’s belief that he could maneuver his car, which really became a two-ton weapon, destroying everything it touched, including the innocent man. I wonder how much comfort I could give the man’s family by sharing how much my friend contributed positive things to the community and that he really is a great friend? Probably, not much. Thank goodness that the only thing the president destroyed were a few highway cones (well, and his reputation).

    — D    Jul 7, 09:37 AM    #

15. In DUI’s there are ALWAYS more people responsibile for the situation then the person who was intoxicated and driving an automobile. Last night was not the first time Dr. Jennings drank alcoholic beverages. It is highly likely others have seen him do so on many occasions, perhaps his wife (if married), colleagues, trustees, faculty, etc. etc.; but no one cared enough about this man to intervene on his behalf and in his best interest. Therefore let’s not hastily throw him under the bus to absolve the rest of us from not acting anytime we see good people taking deadly risks.

    — Bill    Jul 7, 09:51 AM    #

16. Has Jennings actually accomplished anything at Evansville? When he was at OKC U., all he did was get the mascot changed from Chiefs to Stars, then bolted for his next big payday.

    — Marc    Jul 7, 10:04 AM    #

17. I don’t see where this requires the guy’s resignation. It does require consequences, and it looks like he got some.

    — Starbug    Jul 7, 10:18 AM    #

18. He admitted to two beers and then drove as described by the police. Unless President Jennings has an alcohol allergy, two beers do not do this – especially to raise the DUI limit that high.
    How many righteous folks out there who now demand his resignation have driven with after two beers?
    Somebody is not being truthful here.
    And if any President should be canned for not being truthful, we have one in Washington whose deception and stupidity was the cause of more than a few deaths – a lot of them. Haven’t heard even an apology yet from the bastard.

    — AW    Jul 7, 10:46 AM    #

19. It’s always “just a couple of beers,” isn’t it? Still, if he blew a 0.14, it doesn’t matter how many he had.

    — Reason    Jul 7, 11:30 AM    #

20. To #17, the blame rest solely on Dr. Jennings, not the collegues, trustees, faculty (let’s see a faculty approaching the president. “Hello Dr. Jennings, I am not trying to pry into your personal business, but a few faculty were concerned because we noticed at the last alumni reception you were a bit sauced. We agreed that a vote of “no confidence” is too strident. We just hoped that by this conversation you will get help before something happens like you getting arrested for a DUI. If the faculty can do anything to help, please let us know. We’re on your side!”

    Regarding the two beers, it was probably more than that, but what do you expect him to say, “Officer, I had five gin & tonics.”

    When my friend informed me of his DUI, he insisted that he did not have much to drink, even though his test came back well over the limit to drive. Through his tears, the damage he has caused, he feels that the reason why he wobbled on one foot was due to him being nervous and not drunk.

    — D    Jul 7, 11:31 AM    #

21. Someone who blew a 0.14 had either two VERY LARGE beers or more on the order of several beers (consideraing that one 12-0z beer will generally result in a BAC of 0.02). Talk to any law enforcement officer and “two beers” is the standard response for anyone caught driving drunk — people think it explains the smell of alcohol, but doesn’t think it sounds like too much. Dr. Jennings BAC and driving behavior would indicate he was, as they say, slammed. Still, I hold to my original post that this does not need to be a career ender — even with the lie about how much he consumed.

    — babylawyer    Jul 7, 11:59 AM    #

22. #17 has a good point. This is not to absolve Dr. Jennings from responsibility, but to point out that a culture that supports all of us driving after imbibing contributes to this continuing problem.

    — Hiller    Jul 7, 12:15 PM    #

23. I’m confused. I thought if an individual takes “full responsibility” for his actions all is forgiven and the person can put the incident behind him (i.e. Bill Clinton).

    — Gary Brooks    Jul 7, 12:36 PM    #

24. I am surprised at the ignorance (of the disease of alcoholism) and the meanspiritedness displayed on this blog. Who among you is without sin? There is a more balanced story about these events on Inside Higher Ed’s website today.

    — Innocent By-Stander    Jul 7, 12:53 PM    #

25. I find it amazing how many people are willing to condem President Jennings when they have absolutely no knowledge of the situation, ie: Jennnings habbits, the actual events of the night, other than what they have read in the news. Its ridiculous to say that he should resign just because of this. He was out with some friends and had some drinks with dinner. Someone said that he knowingly drove drunk, I think that is ludacris. Have you forgotten that its not illegal to drink and drive? It is illegal to drive while over .08. It is also safe to assume that he was with some respectable friends who would have been able to tell Dr. Jennings if they thought that he was obviously slopping drunk, and shouldn’t drive home. It’s true that none but himself would really know just how intoxicated he was, but again how many people have been mistaken when it comes to assesing how drunk we are? The answer to that is nearly everyone who has ever had a drink. I also find it amazing how quickly some jump to the conclusion that Dr. Jennings is an abusive alcoholic. Again, have these people ever even seen him in person? Do they know anything about him other than what they have read in these articles? Now, just to clear up what I am saying. I do believe that Dr. Jennings is guilty, and he should not be given any special treatment because of his position. All I am saying is that he should not have to resign just because of this one incident.

    A student in complete support of the continued leadership of Stephen Jennings.

    — UEStudent    Jul 7, 12:59 PM    #

26. I believe that babylawyer (#13) makes a good point. This is an opportunity for Mr Jennings to show that he is a good man and has integrity by #1) owning up to his bad judgment publicly, #2) accepting the consequences – which should be fitting to the crime, whether it is probation, suspension of driving privileges, fines, community service or a combination thereof, #3) a notation of this incident in his University file so that documentation exists in case of future occurences, and #4) added service to the University in the form of talks with student groups and organizations about responsible alcohol use. I would think this would be more useful to the University and the students than firing him or asking him to resign. It would show everyone that anyone must accept the consequences of their actions – whether student or President.

    — DL    Jul 7, 01:37 PM    #

27. I have know Stephen Jennings since 1998. He is an outstanding person and educator. I have no doubt that he will find a way to make this experience part of his continuing leadership at Evansville.

    — Peter    Jul 7, 02:36 PM    #

28. Dr. Jennings is a good person/leader who made the terrible decision to drink and drive; and fortunately, no one was physically hurt before his arrest. I know him to be a man of integrity and I believe that he will certainly own up to his serious mistake/choice and accept full responsibility along with the resulting consequences. Let he/she who has not ever had a lapse in judgment judge. Otherwise, let’s stand with him as he determines how to make this a teachable moment for himself and others in the the higher education community. I respect him greatly, wish him all the best, and send out prayers to him and his family.

    — Evansville    Jul 7, 03:27 PM    #

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