Questioning the Practicality of a Dry Campus By: Tyler Brantley The idea of mandating a dry campus is causing a divide

between pro-dry and pro-wet college students. Some believe that the good aspects outweigh the bad; others believe that dry campuses do more harm than good. Dry campuses are becoming more and more common across the United States. According to a recent study at Harvard Universitys School of Public Safety, approximately one in three U.S. college campuses are dry campuses. These universities are adopting dry campus policies in an attempt to curb the prevalence of alcohol abuse. Colleges are trying to find ways to reduce the effects that are brought on by alcohol abuse, both physical, such as altercations and unwanted sexual encounters, and emotional, such as anger issues and depression. It is a well-known fact that our university is considered to be a dry campus. USAs The Lowdown states the universitys alcohol policy as follows: The sale, possession, distribution, or consumption of alcoholic beverages on the campus of the University of South Alabama or at properties owned by the University is prohibited except at certain areas and events that have been given prior permission. The events that are granted permission are typically sporting events, although there are some exceptions. The universitys policy is not infallible as evidenced by the crime statistics displayed on the universitys website. According to the 2013 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, 18 liquor law arrests and 92 liquor law violations that were referred for disciplinary action on campus occurred throughout 2012. One must note that this includes only the criminal incidents in which a case number was generated. Therefore, it does not include all of the generated reports

or calls for service where no report was generated, and, because of this, one must question if having a dry campus is effective or not. There are many advantages of having a dry campus. One such advantage is that it allows students to socialize without the use of alcohol. Students will have more time to engage in extracurricular activities, such as an intramural sports team. They can join some of the various clubs that exist throughout college campuses. More friends can be made, and more relationships can be sustained without the negative influence of alcohol. Another advantage of having a dry campus is that it lessens the chance that some of the younger students will be pressured into drinking by the older, legal students. Many younger students are living by themselves for the very first time. Naturally, these students will feel pressured to make new friends quickly. The absence of alcohol on campus will reduce the risks of them resorting to drinking as a way to impress the older students, and, as a result, the friendships that these students make will be based on ones personal characteristics, rather than the behaviors that a drunken stupor can bring about. Advocates also argue that having a dry campus creates a clean image of a university. While some prospective students may not particularly like the idea, their parents certainly will. An alcohol-free campus is theoretically a good concept that can win over parents of prospective students. It can also create a better image that the community surrounding the university can be proud of. One last advantage is actually more of an advantage for the university itself rather than the students that attend the university. When colleges label themselves as dry campuses, they are

no longer held responsible for incidents that occur due to a student drinking while on campus. This reduces the risk of incurring financial damages due to a students negligence. The more cynical students believe that the university does this only to protect themselves when these accidents occur. There are also many disadvantages to having the dry campus label. One such disadvantage is that some of the drinking age students may feel that the university is infringing upon their freedom to do something that they are legally permitted to do. This can cause a feeling of distrust among the students and the university officials. Opponents of dry campuses also argue that just because alcohol is not allowed on campus, it does not mean that students will not have it on campus anyway. An article on Butler Universitys web site drives the point home by saying the prevalence of alcohol on college campuses is a reality. Students are going to drink regardless of what the rules say; they are just going to be sneakier about it. They are going to hide the alcohol in bags or whatever they can so that they will not be caught. Some students do not even try to hide it. For example, I remember seeing empty beer bottles in the parking lot of the residence halls during my freshman year. One final problem with the dry campus dilemma is perhaps more serious than any other argument. Some people believe that dry campuses encourage students to drink and drive. By not being able to consume alcohol inside their dorm rooms, students will have to travel off campus to get it. After a hard night of drinking, the students will have to come back to their dorms. While some students are responsible enough to make sure that they have a designated driver, not

everyone will. Some will drive impaired, and this will be a huge danger to themselves and anyone around them.