We firmly oppose the new campus alcohol policy suggested by Assistant Dean of Student Services Scott Backer. The goals of the policy not only seem unfairly strict, it also seems likely that, if implemented, they would do more harm than good.
It’s silly to pretend that a campus of young people who work hard all week aren’t going to want to unwind on the weekend. Dateline Investigations and annual MTV Spring Break telecasts have cemented the image of college as a site for excessive drinking. But the college student who drinks isn’t a new phenomenon: a recently unearthed Argus article from the 1950s confirmed that Wesleyan students have been supplementing studies with spirits since before the school went co-ed. Pretending that those who came before us didn’t drink is foolish, and we challenge any parents or alumni reading this to provide evidence to the contrary.
Realistically, a policy that aims to reduce alcohol on campus under a guise of “student safety” is simply not going to reduce drinking. Furthermore, it would be nearly impossible to enforce. Think back to Prohibition: if people want to drink, they’ll find a way. A policy that bans hard alcohol or tries to hide alcohol consumption behind closed doors will only encourage more secretive drinking, if not other vices as an alcohol replacement.
As the parents reading will be happy to hear, Wesleyan students are generally responsible when it comes to alcohol consumption. Although Public Safety reports that, on most weekends, at least one student makes a trip to the Emergency Room for intoxication, the system in place is a good one. We fear that a policy that further stigmatizes drinking could make students (and their friends) less likely to ask for help when the need arises.
We encourage all those visiting campus this weekend to enjoy the fall foliage, President Roth’s public speaking mastery, and maybe even some tailgating before the football game. If you chose to drink, drink responsibly. And parents, do consider sharing a glass of fine wine with your college student over dinner in Middletown.
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