Drink up, Wesleyan this one is for you

Those of you who are fortunate enough to be 21 can appreciate a few or many drinks every now and again. If you are one who is impatiently waiting to turn the magic age and think the same thing, don't worry, I won't tell. In fact, I say to you CHEERS! Lots of people not only like to drink, they DO drink. Some could see drinking as a plague that needs to be cured by any means necessary, but others embrace it as a way to have a good time, provided that it does not lead to TOO good of a time. Like many colleges, Virginia Wesleyan College has alcohol on campus as well as those who consume it.

“I don't think the drinking situation is any worse that it was, but I think it is accepted because it is a college campus, and we may be religious-based, but we're not dry," said anonymous commuter Mr. Murdock. "It seems to me that being a dry campus is kind of a snobby way of being. That may not be the intention of the certain campus, but that's how it could be perceived by others."

Alcoholism here on campus is not the biggest issue, but it is big enough to be addressed from time to time to serve as a wake-up call for those who may get out of hand. Virginia Wesleyan College and those enforcing the rules are more than appreciated for dealing with individual issues with students involving alcohol. "If people here are getting trashed and getting in trouble for rash behavior, at least maybe a good thing is that some could understand what it is to be responsible in the community that he or she resides in," said Mr. Murdock. "I'm sure the college doesn't want to enforce the rules to the degree in writing, but when it gets out of hand, they have to step in order to do their jobs. Dean Buckingham cares about what is going on and for the most part, he's cool about it, but he wants to exercise what a fair policy would be for a situation. And he works it out with Residents' Life, the president, and whomever it may concern."

One of those rules that is very lenient is the one that says one who is over 21 may have no more than two cases of beer and two liters of liquor at one time in a dorm room that allows alcohol provided that all occupants of the room are of 21 years of age. This is a rule that is lenient because it is more than fair. If two people need anymore than that, then move off campus. Besides any more than the allowed amount seems to be a bit excessive.

"Do they need to enforce this rule? Only if they need to," Mr. Murdock said. "They're not going to know for the most part, but someone could still be a rat and give them a reason to investigate what someone is up to. The way "the system" is run is still pretty lenient. Lenient meaning that they are giving you a chance because you're young and you're in college which is the time for chances, but they are saying 'look, you better realize that you are a part of what is going on around you no matter what you do as part of the community.'"

What most people who are 21 may not realize that being of age and drinking are things they take for granted. Even when things get out of hand, some may realize that there is an inevitable situation, but fail to see the magnitude of their actions towards the community. College time is all about the transition from teenager to young adult, and that's when the drinker weather a little or a lot needs to develop something grown-ups like to call self-control.

If you are like me and feel the irresistible urge to sometimes drink yourself stupid, then by all means, do so. Let me just tell you that if you decide to embark in some rowdy actions that may affect the surrounding community, then go somewhere else and have a wonderful but safe time.

BOTTOMS UP, WESLEYAN!