Hey Guilford, the weekend is finally here! It’s time to unwind and relax, as recreational activities and social get-togethers get under way.
For the 14 percent of us old enough to do so, it’s time to get tipsy. Doing so helps to alleviate some of the tension that we as college students face on a weekly basis.
Now, to those students under the age of 21, drinking is strictly off-limits. Everyone knows it’s against the law and prohibited here at the college.
“Our main goal is to have people drink responsibly and to not have people underage drink on campus,” said Anne Lundquist, Dean of Campus Life.
To our misfortune, however, officials in Res Life have required all students, even those aged 21 and older, to keep any and all alcoholic beverages inside. Those caught outside their dorm rooms with an open container filled with beer or liquor will not only be forced to pour out its contents, but security officials will be required to document the incident and further punishment will result.
Once students violate set regulations punishment is carried out on three different levels, depending on the seriousness of the offense and/or the number of times a certain individual has broken established rules. Judicial penalties range from $75 fines to suspensions.
“I realize you have to respect under-age drinkers, but if I’m drinking and handling myself appropriately, I don’t feel like I should be harassed,” said senior Marcus Ballard.
As a fifth-year senior, having witnessed my share of drunken episodes, I’m talking from experience when I say that students are going to drink no matter how what punishment is at stake. In fact, Res Life is imposing an even bigger burden on students by forcing them to drink off campus, and drive back under the influence.
Furthermore, traditional upperclassmen are tired of being hassled by a security force that has nothing else better to do than to snoop around in other people’s cups.
“In my opinion, students are going to drink whether they’re 18 or 25, and everybody has their connections,” said residential leadership coordinator, Mike Mackey. “But it’s the college’s responsibility to enforce the alcohol policies to ensure the health and safety of its students.”
That being said, it’s probably not a good idea to test the odds of fate. I know my luck hasn’t gotten any better in the past few years.