It is essential for Uhart to acknowledge the reality that, despite being a dry campus, students are engaging in alcohol consumption, leading to potential safety hazards. While I personally choose to abstain from alcohol, I cannot ignore the need for policy changes. No, rather than the need, I recognize the necessity for policy changes within Uhart’s alcohol policy. This realization was further underscored by a recent story from a friend who had to intervene to prevent their heavily intoxicated friends from driving back to campus. Fortunately, they had the support and awareness to avert a potentially dangerous situation.
A proactive and preferable solution would be to create a designated safe space for alcohol consumption, ensuring that students of legal age can partake responsibly. It’s worth noting that other universities have successfully implemented similar policies. While Uhart has the right to enforce an alcohol ban, it must recognize the risks it poses to student safety. Prioritizing a sense of moral integrity over the well-being of students is not a justifiable stance.
The prospect of college students listening to an alcohol ban is, sadly, not a realistic expectation. Therefore, the university should take proactive measures to prevent potential disasters. It is a crucial point to reflect on history, particularly the failed attempt to prohibit alcohol consumption in the United States during the era of prohibition, which illustrates the consequences of overlooking the realities of human behavior. The widespread illegal drinking and the rise of speakeasies ultimately led to the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment.
To achieve the goal of preventing alcohol-related issues, the university can explore alternative methods. Providing resources such as alcohol awareness programs and counseling services allows Uhart to support students in navigating their alcohol-related decisions effectively, acknowledging the existence of the problem rather than ignoring it. Additionally, investigating the possibility of involving students in the development of alcohol policies through forums or student-led initiatives can ensure that their voices and perspectives are not only heard but also considered.
Uhart possesses the opportunity to lead by example and prioritize the well-being of its students by reevaluating its alcohol policies. Adopting a more holistic approach that balances regulation with support and education can contribute to creating a safer and healthier campus environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
