drinking on campus
JASON McFARLEY
In Focus Writer
While officials seemingly look the other way when it comes to student alcohol consumption, policies in place at the University call on undergraduates to drink responsibly.
That's according to some Notre Dame students, who said the University's official alcohol policy, as stated in the student handbook, duLac, seems to condone drinking — if only temperate — among students.
"Obviously, college students are going to drink; it's going to occur at any school. And the University recognizes that," said Meaghan Donovan, a Pasquerilla East Hall sophomore.
Off-campus senior Erin Flynn agrees.
"It's good that the University recognizes that there will be alcohol use by students," she said.
In fact, policies adopted by the University in 1984 not only recognize the probability of on-campus drinking but also lay out specific rules for it.
DuLac, for example, makes students responsible for compliance with Indiana criminal laws pertaining to alcohol possession and use. The handbook clearly states that "the University does not condone any violations of the criminal law, including underage drinking."
Indiana law stipulates that anyone under 21 is underage.
But Notre Dame officials only enforce these laws in individual residence hall rooms if excessive noise or other such disturbances call undue attention to the rooms, duLac states.
Students said that makes the policy somewhat more tolerable.
"[The policy] gives us a chance to be college students," said Sorin Hall freshman Pat Hallahan. "People know they can drink here if they want to."
Hallahan noted that the alcohol policy, while laxly enforced, doesn't promote student drinking. He said in a college setting where students are already very likely to drink, the University's alcohol policy doesn't prompt higher incidents of consumption.
The policy also raises questions about unequal enforcement and application of the rules. That's a concern many students share.
"Unfortunately, the policy isn't enforced equally," said Flynn, a former Pangborn Hall resident. "Male dorms have more liberal policies," she said, pointing out that alcohol abuse among on-campus men is commonly more accepted than that among their female counterparts.
"On the whole, guys get away with a lot more," Donovan added.
Hallahan, however, said if there is a gender bias in the way the University applies its alcohol policy, it's for the protection of female students. He said with women and alcohol use, the issue of safety, especially as it relates to sexual assault, arises.
In recent months, the student alcohol use has been a campus-wide concern. In September, the Notre Dame student government opted to make the issue the subject of its annual Board of Trustees report.
Recently, University administrators have also expressed interest in the topic. One matter that's plagued them is why off-campus parties and bars attract many undergraduate students.
"I think of my dorm as the place where I live, study and work," Donovan said. "I'd rather go somewhere else and party."
"Let's face it," Hallahan said. "Even with as much freedom as we have here, going off campus seems to put us out of the University's hands."
Flynn said it's important that officials recognize that students go off campus as much to socialize as to drink. While more University social space would benefit students, it wouldn't necessarily keep them from seeking the change of scenery that off-campus partying represents, she said.
"Maybe it would be helpful for the University to look into why students drink in the first place," Flynn said.
All News Stories for Wednesday, November 1, 2000
