As We See It (editorial)

One of the greatest challenges faced by young people in the process of growing up is taking responsibility for their actions. Actions, both positive and negative, have reactions. Understanding the consequences of choice only happens when young people are exposed to situations in which they are forced to choose between what they have been told to do and what they've been told not to do. The result is a learning experience where the individual's decision is either positively or negatively reinforced.

In today's society, the choice of whether to behave according to the rules is often taken away from individuals and forced into the hands of institutions. In response, universities across the country have banned activities from their campuses which, when carried out irresponsibly, can be dangerous.

One such activity is drinking alcohol. Often, college students mistake responsible drinking for binge drinking, with side effects ranging from a simple hangover to unconsciousness, memory loss, and death. This practice, and the resulting damage it causes to both people and school property, has led many universities to ban alcohol on campus. Because of such policies, people of legal age, who have made responsible decisions when consuming alcohol, find themselves deprived of a legal right because of the failure of others to drink responsibly.

At Norwich, the rule has been to allow no alcohol on campus for anyone; until recently that is. This year, the decision was made on a probationary status that, during certain events on campus, individuals of legal age could drink alcohol in select locations. The first such occasion was Alumni Weekend, where returning alumni were allowed to bring alcohol on campus to share with students of legal age during tailgate parties following athletic events. Due to the success of the parties during Alumni Weekend, they were once again allowed during Parents' Weekend the following month.

We like this decision. It restores responsibility to the students for their own drinking. It returns to the students a choice between following the rules and abusing alcohol. Students who do not learn from the experiences of others may once again be given the opportunity to learn from an age-old method: by making their own mistakes.

The university administration should be commended for brave, forward thinking. As students, we appreciate the recognition that we are adults and are capable of being responsible when given the opportunity. We hope this is a trend that will continue.

Students should not jeopardize the new options we have been given by behaving irresponsibly when drinking. Being an adult means having forethought when making decisions. Adults realize that the long-term benefits are often greater than the interim ones, and act accordingly. Please drink responsibly and show the administration that, as adults, students can be trusted to make their own decisions.

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