2008 Woodie Awards
SGA addresses campus drinking climate
Ben Herbst and John DeBruicker
Issue date: 2/23/07 Section: News & Features
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As the second semester progesses, the Student Government Association has adopted several initiatives regarding student alcohol consumption. A motion was passed at the Presidents' Council's Feb. 18 meeting advising the College Affairs Committee to allow students of age to drink in residence hall lounges and hallways during approved hours and another motion passed that took aim at the consistency of the College's Security. Also, the SGA has spearheaded a campaign aimed to lower dorm damage costs this semester.
OPEN CONTAINERS NO MORE?
At Presidents' Council, SGA approved a motion to recommend to the College Affairs Committee that "open containers of alcohol for students of legal drinking age in all hallways and public spaces of all non substance-free and non quiet residence halls" be allowed. The motion passed 23 votes in favor to three opposed at the PC meeting on Sunday Feb. 18 and went before the College Affairs Committee Monday night, but due to the CAC's already full agenda the issue will be deferred until the next meeting on Monday Mar. 5.
"I think there's a lot of student support for [the motion]," said Brett McNeice '08 who sits on the CAC. "We're a little worried that there is concern about the liability issues and overloading security with checking I.D.'s."
Mark Biggar '07, the senior class representative who presented the motion, was pleasantly surprised at how little debate the issue drew at the Council meeting but underscored the feasibility of the change. "We're not talking about school nights or underaged students," he said. The language of the motion specifies that students only be allowed to drink in the halls between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Friday night and between 12 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Saturday.
Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Jim Terhune, who sits on the CAC along with Director of Student Activities Kelly Wharton and Senior Associate Dean Paul Johnston, expressed some doubt that the rule would pass. "It would be difficult, but I'm more than willing to have that conversation," Terhune said.
OPEN CONTAINERS NO MORE?
At Presidents' Council, SGA approved a motion to recommend to the College Affairs Committee that "open containers of alcohol for students of legal drinking age in all hallways and public spaces of all non substance-free and non quiet residence halls" be allowed. The motion passed 23 votes in favor to three opposed at the PC meeting on Sunday Feb. 18 and went before the College Affairs Committee Monday night, but due to the CAC's already full agenda the issue will be deferred until the next meeting on Monday Mar. 5.
"I think there's a lot of student support for [the motion]," said Brett McNeice '08 who sits on the CAC. "We're a little worried that there is concern about the liability issues and overloading security with checking I.D.'s."
Mark Biggar '07, the senior class representative who presented the motion, was pleasantly surprised at how little debate the issue drew at the Council meeting but underscored the feasibility of the change. "We're not talking about school nights or underaged students," he said. The language of the motion specifies that students only be allowed to drink in the halls between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Friday night and between 12 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Saturday.
Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Jim Terhune, who sits on the CAC along with Director of Student Activities Kelly Wharton and Senior Associate Dean Paul Johnston, expressed some doubt that the rule would pass. "It would be difficult, but I'm more than willing to have that conversation," Terhune said.
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