Sydney Rodriguez, Campus Carrier opinions editor
Berry College’s dry campus policy is often seen as a “safeguard” by students at their college. By prohibiting alcohol on campus grounds, the college aims to create a safe environment for students, free from the dangers of underaged drinking, rowdy behavior and alcohol-fueled crime. For many prospective students, this rule provides peace of mind. Those are the kinds of students that come to Berry for its prestigious academic programs, not for parties or an exciting nightlife, but appreciate the school’s safety over social life. The lack of alcohol at campus events reinforces Berry’s image as a serious academic institution where students are known for their hard work ethic rather than their weekend parties, which are often found at large public universities with Greek life. Berry offers a quieter, more studious atmosphere that appeals to students, as well as to parents who want to send their kids to responsible schools.
While Berry’s rules are meant to create a safe and academically focused environment, they also bring significant drawbacks, especially when students find ways around them. Ultimately, the policy may bring more harm than good.
Despite the strict no-alcohol policy, students still find ways to drink. In many cases, they are drinking in secret, which makes the practice of “sobriety” among students more dangerous. It is relatively easy to bring alcohol on campus, whether by simply carrying it in their cars through the welcome center student gates or hiding their bottles in closets or drawers, which Resident Assistance are not allowed to go through. As long as their bottles are out of sight, students face little risk of being caught. This underground drinking culture fosters an environment where alcohol consumption goes unchecked, making it harder for students to make responsible decisions.
One of the most dangerous aspects of this is that students may hesitate or think twice before seeking help in emergencies. If a student needs help and needs to be hospitalized, they might fear the repercussions they could face with college administators, even if they are of legal drinking age. This fear of discipline can prevent students from seeking medical attention when it’s needed most, potentially putting lives at risk.
Furthermore, the dry campus policy can lead to binge drinking at big college events. Marthapalooza, for example, led students to consume large amounts of alcohol that night. Students saw fireball bottles left on rides or scattered on the ground, suggesting that the dry campus policy has no effect on students – it simply shifts drinking to more dangerous, unsupervised situations. When students are restricted from drinking whenever they want, they tend to overindulge when the opportunity arises, leading to higher risks of accidents, injuries and alcohol poisoning all of which occurred this past Marthapalooza.
It has been said that the Spring Formal might occur off campus, which poses an even greater threat to students and citizens of Rome. With no alcohol allowed on campus, students will have the opportunity to drink off campus, which increases the likelihood of drunk driving accidents. If shuttles are offered from campus to the event venue, others will choose to drive themselves or ride with friends, heightening concerns of intoxicated drivers on the road. This not only endangers the students involved but also puts others in the city at risk.
Restrictions on alcohol don’t eliminate the desire to drink. Instead, they make it more appealing for some students who feel the need to rebel against the rules. This often leads to excessive drinking in unsafe settings, either off campus or in dorm rooms where no one is supervising. Ironically, the policy that is meant to reduce alcohol consumption may actually encourage more dangerous behavior among those who do choose to drink.
Instead of keeping students safe, the dry campus policy may be doing the opposite — turning alcohol into a forbidden fruit and encouraging more reckless drinking habits. Berry must consider whether this policy truly serves the best interests of its students. While the image of a dry campus may appeal to some, the reality of the situation suggests that it’s time to reevaluate the rules and open up a discussion about responsible drinking and student safety.