2008 Woodie Awards
Campaign advocates lower drinking age
By: Jennifer Ginger
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: News
However, there have been numerous violations of the campus drinking policy in the past. According to the 2006 Public Safety Home Campus Crime Statistics, in 2003 there were 46 disciplinary actions in regard to on-campus residential violations; there were 34 violations in 2004 and 24 in 2005.
"If you're inclined to drink ,you're not going to wait until you're 21," said freshman Sandra Lemenaite, an international studies and human rights double major.
Lemenaite, a resident of West Hall, said if there was a lower legal age it would omit illegal activity, unnecessary problems and arrests. She said she hasn't seen drinking in the dorms, but said residents have close relationships with their residential assistants and choose not to disrespect them, so minors drink elsewhere.
Lemenaite said underage residents who choose to drink are smart about it, having their older friends purchase alcohol and keep it for them in their room or apartment. She said she doesn't think anyone would spend 40 hours to get permission to do something they are currently getting away with.
"It's a drastic amount of hours," Lemenaite said.
Freshman Alex Davis, an art major, was punished for violating Webster's alcohol policy earlier this year. Davis said he would enroll in an alcohol education program.
"Forty hours, that's not a lot of time," Davis said. "It would allow me to buy alcohol."
Davis said individuals in other countries can control their alcohol intake because they are not introduced to alcohol later in life like Americans.
"You need to control yourself," Davis said.
Allison Brewer, an East Hall RA and a secondary education major, said RAs do not encourage underage drinking. However, she does talk to residents if drinking becomes an issue. Brewer said students also can initiate talks with their RAs.
Brewer said RAs do their best to ensure everyone is safe and they promote health and safety. Brewer said she talks to residents one-on-one, even if there isn't a problem.
"If you're inclined to drink ,you're not going to wait until you're 21," said freshman Sandra Lemenaite, an international studies and human rights double major.
Lemenaite, a resident of West Hall, said if there was a lower legal age it would omit illegal activity, unnecessary problems and arrests. She said she hasn't seen drinking in the dorms, but said residents have close relationships with their residential assistants and choose not to disrespect them, so minors drink elsewhere.
Lemenaite said underage residents who choose to drink are smart about it, having their older friends purchase alcohol and keep it for them in their room or apartment. She said she doesn't think anyone would spend 40 hours to get permission to do something they are currently getting away with.
"It's a drastic amount of hours," Lemenaite said.
Freshman Alex Davis, an art major, was punished for violating Webster's alcohol policy earlier this year. Davis said he would enroll in an alcohol education program.
"Forty hours, that's not a lot of time," Davis said. "It would allow me to buy alcohol."
Davis said individuals in other countries can control their alcohol intake because they are not introduced to alcohol later in life like Americans.
"You need to control yourself," Davis said.
Allison Brewer, an East Hall RA and a secondary education major, said RAs do not encourage underage drinking. However, she does talk to residents if drinking becomes an issue. Brewer said students also can initiate talks with their RAs.
Brewer said RAs do their best to ensure everyone is safe and they promote health and safety. Brewer said she talks to residents one-on-one, even if there isn't a problem.
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caljaysoc
cal
posted 8/13/07 @ 3:54 PM EST
(dripping with sarcasm) Oh, yes. lets lower the drinking age so that those who are irresponisble enought to do something stupid don't get punished. What a great idea. (Continued…)
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