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Our readers' voice
Alcohol policy should be altered to avoid infractions
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Voices
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The intent of this letter is to discuss the current alcohol policy at Central Michigan University. I have been under contract with the alcohol policy for over a year. In that time I have not broken any of the rules underlined in the policy. However, I have always believed the rules were unfair to those who are under 21 years old, therefore, I feel the policy should be altered.
According to the alcohol and controlled substances policy on the Residence Life Web site, the rules regarding alcohol are as follows: "A resident who is 21 or older may drink responsibly in his or her room at any time. A resident who is 21 or older may drink in the room of another 21-year-old resident if that resident is present. All guests must conform to the residence hall alcohol policy. No alcohol is allowed in any room at any time if a resident of that room is not 21 or older. Anyone under 21 present in a room where an alcohol infraction has occurred will be considered in violation of the alcohol policy."
While these rules are fair for those who are at least 21 years old, they pose unfair situations for those who are under the age of 21. For example, say there is alcohol in the main/study room of a dorm which belongs to someone who is at least 21 years old. While it is there, a roommate who is under the age of 21 may sit down in that room not knowing of the present alcohol. If a resident assistant happened to stop by and notice the alcohol, the underage person could be immediately written up because they would be in violation of the policy. In order to alleviate a situation like this or any other unfair situation for those under the age of 21, the following set of rules should replace the current rules. Alcohol should be banned completely in personal rooms belonging to residents who are under the age of 21. Alcohol should be allowed in the main/study room of any individual dorm room as long as one resident of the room is at least 21 years of age. In the event that there is a resident under the age of 21 in the main/study room at the same time open alcohol is present, he/she is subject to a breathalyzer test any number of times within the next 24 hours, if there is reasonable suspicion of underage drinking. With these rules in place residents under the age of 21 will no longer get entrapped in unfair situations.
If you believe the same way I do, please speak up. Let our university president know this policy needs to be amended. This can be done by e-mail or petition. With strong support by the student body a change can be made.
Joel Bradley
Portland sophomore
According to the alcohol and controlled substances policy on the Residence Life Web site, the rules regarding alcohol are as follows: "A resident who is 21 or older may drink responsibly in his or her room at any time. A resident who is 21 or older may drink in the room of another 21-year-old resident if that resident is present. All guests must conform to the residence hall alcohol policy. No alcohol is allowed in any room at any time if a resident of that room is not 21 or older. Anyone under 21 present in a room where an alcohol infraction has occurred will be considered in violation of the alcohol policy."
While these rules are fair for those who are at least 21 years old, they pose unfair situations for those who are under the age of 21. For example, say there is alcohol in the main/study room of a dorm which belongs to someone who is at least 21 years old. While it is there, a roommate who is under the age of 21 may sit down in that room not knowing of the present alcohol. If a resident assistant happened to stop by and notice the alcohol, the underage person could be immediately written up because they would be in violation of the policy. In order to alleviate a situation like this or any other unfair situation for those under the age of 21, the following set of rules should replace the current rules. Alcohol should be banned completely in personal rooms belonging to residents who are under the age of 21. Alcohol should be allowed in the main/study room of any individual dorm room as long as one resident of the room is at least 21 years of age. In the event that there is a resident under the age of 21 in the main/study room at the same time open alcohol is present, he/she is subject to a breathalyzer test any number of times within the next 24 hours, if there is reasonable suspicion of underage drinking. With these rules in place residents under the age of 21 will no longer get entrapped in unfair situations.
If you believe the same way I do, please speak up. Let our university president know this policy needs to be amended. This can be done by e-mail or petition. With strong support by the student body a change can be made.
Joel Bradley
Portland sophomore
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