Students not intimidated by VWC's alcohol policy
by Chrissy Mullen

“Whooooo!”

he beer-soaked cry rings out across campus, in spite of the college’s prohibitive alcohol policy.
“It’s pretty ridiculous because they can’t stop you from drinking,” said sophomore Brent Sailhamer. “If you want to drink, you will.”

The overview of VWC’s current alcohol policy, as stated in the college handbook (pages 102--107), is that students 21 years of age are allowed to purchase, possess, and consume beer or wine.

Anyone under 21 cannot possess or consume alcoholic beverages. If this code is violated, the student is subject to disciplinary or administrative action.

ean of Students David Buckingham said, “We are a mirror image of society,” confronted with the same issues concerning alcohol as other universities and colleges in the nation, he said.

“Our policy is within reason,” Buckingham said. “What we try to do here is be proactive.”

But how does this affect VWC’s affiliation with the Methodist church?

The Methodist law as stated in the “Book of Discipline” staunchly advocates abstaining from alcohol.

In June 1996 at the Virginia Annual Conference, a group of leaders within the Virginia United Methodist Church proposed that VWC go dry or be penalized by losing $28,350 in church fundsfrom Wesleyan’s budget.

he proposal did not pas, however, and VWC continues to receive funding.

Bit by bit, changes may be taking place at VWC.

There was a proposal this semester to start a substance-free floor for anyone interested. Kerry Strnad, assistant director of Residence Life, said that due to lack of interest, Residence Life was unable to fill an entire floor.

In addition, due to the recent alcohol-induced fatalities at Louisiana State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, some national fraternities have voted to go dry by the year 2000. One of the chapters that could be at VWC is Sigma Nu.

Buckingham believes that this campus offers an assortment of alcohol-free activities, such as the Mud Games, Air Band, Mr. Wesleyan pageant and Lake Taylor Music Festival.

There are options, but “kids are going to do what they want to do, and policy’s not going to stop them,” said freshman Kelly Follert.

As junior Brain Monahon put it, “In the end, it seems that no one feels they are affected by the alcohol policy.”