Friday, April 06, 2007

Rochester Institute of Technology is in the process of toughening its policy
on gambling. Currently, most forms of gambling are prohibited. The revised
policy would simplify the language and leave fewer exceptions. "I think it's
something where they're not trusting the student body as much as they
should," said junior Amy Christian. RIT's various student and faculty
governance boards will consider the gambling ban over the next few weeks.
There are worries everything from Xbox tournaments to charity poker games
will no longer be allowed. "What the institution is trying to do is to be
proactive about preventing these gambling habits, but at the same time
they're going to sacrifice student activities," said junior Ed Wolf. RIT
officials would not comment on the proposal, saying they prefer to wait
until the policy is in its final form. That will take about a month. Those
briefed on the policy proposal say RIT is responding to legal concerns, as
well as studies showing problem gambling is on the rise among college
students. Gambling addiction experts say RIT is doing the right thing. "I'm
pleased, quite pleased, because we've seen an influx of clients who have
come from the colleges," said Ray Scott director of DePaul's problem
gambling program. He said 15 to 20 percent of the program's clients are
college-age. Most students we encountered on campus did not think gambling
was a huge deal. "If there are kids that are gambling for serious money,
it's
a small minority," said freshman Adam Richlin.