Alcohol Policy Consequences Concealed
Letter from the Editor

Although the implications of the new alcohol policy are yet to be determined, one new guideline has become clear— the new policy has had some unforeseen effects on student use of space. Furthermore, these effects were completely unanticipated by the student body in that they were hidden amidst the unclear language of the new policy. Certain spaces which were previously used for social functions, mainly Grooveline under Eversole Courtyard, are now unusable on weekdays because they are designated as “residential spaces.” When the Editor-in-Chief of this paper, along with amiable company, attempted to established the now long-gone theme group to live in Grooveline, alleviating the housing crunch. We were denied in that Grooveline is not considered a residential space by the college. Now however, it is designated as residential, which means that it cannot be used for social functions with alcohol on weekdays. It is this editor’s belief that the language in the policy was confusing. When it was said that no alcoholic functions could be held in residential areas, I believe that students, in light of the policy’s new allowance of student serving of kegs, could not serve in the more residential spaces that the policy had outlined. Instead, the policy has robbed the weekday social scene of any variety or even flexibility in scheduling.

The reasons for this change are unreasonable. It is stated that noise from Grooveline, literally something of an underground bunker, is disturbing students who live in the area. First and foremost, this is preposterous, seeing as how the only event to commonly (ie twice monthly) use Grooveline is the junior/senior social, which rarely if ever has loud music. Secondly, a majority of upperclassmen do not have class on Fridays, so its use on Thursdays would not affect any assignments due the next day. Finally, if the space cannot be used for these socials, when will the space be used at all? The space was primarily utilized because of its noise suppression ability, otherwise the junior/senior social would certainly have been thrown in the a more pleasant outdoor space where we can enjoy the weather that so sets us apart from our liberal arts counterparts in New England.

There was also another space issue wrought by the new policy. A few years ago, when fraternities agreed to not have off-campus houses, they were guaranteed specific social spaces to hold their events. However, the new policy has taken away the fraternities traditional spaces under Clark V and stuck them where every other weekday campus event is being held— the abysmal Dom’s Social Room in the basement of the equally cheery Smith Campus Center. The lack of a consistent space used only by the fraternities detracts from the already waning frat scene, and reflects the lack of support with the administration for these groups.

The effects of the new alcohol policy are widespread, and are still being deciphered by the student body as a whole. I strongly encourage the ASPC senate and the Student Affairs Committee to reconsider these space limitations on weekday events.