Peer Educators Educating Peers (PEEPS) at Southeastern, held their annual roundtable discussion on Tuesday, Nov. 15, with special guest speaker, District Attorney Scott Perrilloux. Held in the Student Union Ballroom, the series partnered with the Office of Student Conduct and the Tangipahoa-Reshaping Attitudes for Community Change (TRACC) to talk openly about the negative effects of alcohol on campus among Southeastern students, faculty and staff.

Tuesday’s session consisted of a panel from different levels of professional law enforcement and the academic community: Perrilloux, Annette Newton-Baldwin and Tom Cafferty of the University Counseling Center, Nick Manale of State Police Troop L Public Information Officer and Hammond city councilman Lemar Marshall. Along with Hammond community members, were members of the Southeastern community. Student Government Association (SGA) President Luke Holloway, Antoinette Alack of the Office of Student Conduct, Scott Huff of the University Police Department (UPD) and Interfraternity Council (IFC) President Liam Doyle also spoke on the panel.

“Tonight, Scott Perrilloux is going to be speaking about DUIs, and alcohol abuse on campus,” said President of PEEPS Bryce Barras. “He contacted us, said he would like to come speak to PEEPS and to the students. We already had the roundtable planned, so we invited him.”

The moderator for the discussion was Bridget Bailey, Project Director for TRACC. Before the panel took the stage, students in the audience had a chance to write down a question pertaining to alcohol awareness and laws regarding alcohol, which would later be asked to the panel.

“The purpose of the roundtable is to discuss alcoholic issues and solutions to the problems on campus,” said Barras. “You know, to get things out there and get people talking.”

Alternative options for hangout spots on campus were discussed so that students would not be put in the situation of drinking and driving. Questions ranged from talking about open container laws to consequences of a DUI charge, and a safe ride program. Louisiana State Trooper Nick Manale cleared up where alcohol should be placed in a car.

“Obviously, it’s illegal for any passenger to have open alcohol in a vehicle, no matter how old you are. As far as being 21, you are allowed to have it in the car as long as it is in a closed container. It just can’t be open, no matter how old you are,” said Manale.

For students wanting to get involved with PEEPS, contact president Bryce Barras at [email protected].