Controversy Over New Alcohol Policy
Logan McElwain and Emily Donegan
Issue date: 10/1/04 Section: News
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A controversial new alcohol policy came into effect this semester limiting the amount of alcoholic beverages that Rockhurst students can have in their rooms at any one time.
Nicknamed the six-pack policy, the new law states: "Each individual of legal drinking age is limited to having only one of the following in their residence: one six-pack of beer, or one four-pack of wine coolers or other similar beverage, or one pint of alcohol, or one bottle of wine."
The new policy has sparked a barrage of complaints from students to the Student Senate. Senate President, Melissa Ebone, said the revisions to the law were brought to the senate last year for approval. The senate suggested wording changes that were later disregarded at the advice of Rockhurst legal counsel.
She said the purpose of the six-pack policy is to keep minors from being served alcohol in the Town Houses. She said the problem was in part the policy but also in the stricter enforcement. She added that she had heard students felt as if they were being head hunted when coming from parties. Consequently, students are nervous to go back to their dorms for fear of being written up.
The Senate is trying to find a way to get students questions answered. She encouraged students to send emails to the Senate voicing their concerns and questions. The senate is hosting a forum on Oct. 7 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fishbowl to address student issues this year.
Katie Cribbin, a sophomore, took issue with the enforcement of the new policy.
"When RA's are sitting outside of the dorms and pacing throughout the townhouses there is a problem. Students are nervous to go back to their dorms and townhouses because they are afraid of being written up," complained Cribbin, a resident of Townhouse Village.
Matt Quick, Director of Student Life, said the new law was meant to protect and safeguard students.
"It is an effort to try and help students know what is considered responsible alcohol use, and what is not. Drinking for the purposes of intoxication is not responsible alcohol use," he said.
Nicknamed the six-pack policy, the new law states: "Each individual of legal drinking age is limited to having only one of the following in their residence: one six-pack of beer, or one four-pack of wine coolers or other similar beverage, or one pint of alcohol, or one bottle of wine."
The new policy has sparked a barrage of complaints from students to the Student Senate. Senate President, Melissa Ebone, said the revisions to the law were brought to the senate last year for approval. The senate suggested wording changes that were later disregarded at the advice of Rockhurst legal counsel.
She said the purpose of the six-pack policy is to keep minors from being served alcohol in the Town Houses. She said the problem was in part the policy but also in the stricter enforcement. She added that she had heard students felt as if they were being head hunted when coming from parties. Consequently, students are nervous to go back to their dorms for fear of being written up.
The Senate is trying to find a way to get students questions answered. She encouraged students to send emails to the Senate voicing their concerns and questions. The senate is hosting a forum on Oct. 7 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fishbowl to address student issues this year.
Katie Cribbin, a sophomore, took issue with the enforcement of the new policy.
"When RA's are sitting outside of the dorms and pacing throughout the townhouses there is a problem. Students are nervous to go back to their dorms and townhouses because they are afraid of being written up," complained Cribbin, a resident of Townhouse Village.
Matt Quick, Director of Student Life, said the new law was meant to protect and safeguard students.
"It is an effort to try and help students know what is considered responsible alcohol use, and what is not. Drinking for the purposes of intoxication is not responsible alcohol use," he said.