No written alcohol policy, administrators say
Liz Essley
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: News
Flannery also said he doesn't know how the original policy was determined.
"That's the just the rule that has been around for a while," he said.
Senior staff, including President Larry Arnn, would have to approve any potential changes to the protocol, Flannery said.
Dean of Women Diane Philipp said the alcohol policy is a matter of logistics. It often becomes too difficult to card students at events, she said.
"It's just a prudential choice," she said. "It's a liability issue. [Underage drinking]'s against the law."
Vice President for External Affairs Douglas Jeffrey confirmed that it becomes too complicated to verify ages for CCA events, so the office has requested that Saga simply not serve students. He also said they usually don't have many students at their events, and that carding also creates an undesirable atmosphere.
Saga caterers do not ask to see IDs of CCA guests.
"None of them are really in the bubble," Jeffrey said with a laugh.
Some academic departments feel the policy's effects regularly - the English department hosts at least one reception per semester, for instance.
Others, like the biology and chemistry departments, never host official events that involve alcohol, said Professor of Biology Frank Steiner and Associate Professor of Chemistry Mark Nussbaum.
"Honestly, it's never been a question," Steiner said. "Anything that we have where alcohol is present is always in an unofficial capacity."
Sophomore Zach Miller said he agrees with the college's policy and understands the desire to keep events dignified.
But junior Paul Smith said he thinks the college should serve students of drinking age.
"If they're promoting self-government, then they should let students make the choice, especially if it's legal," he said.
"That's the just the rule that has been around for a while," he said.
Senior staff, including President Larry Arnn, would have to approve any potential changes to the protocol, Flannery said.
Dean of Women Diane Philipp said the alcohol policy is a matter of logistics. It often becomes too difficult to card students at events, she said.
"It's just a prudential choice," she said. "It's a liability issue. [Underage drinking]'s against the law."
Vice President for External Affairs Douglas Jeffrey confirmed that it becomes too complicated to verify ages for CCA events, so the office has requested that Saga simply not serve students. He also said they usually don't have many students at their events, and that carding also creates an undesirable atmosphere.
Saga caterers do not ask to see IDs of CCA guests.
"None of them are really in the bubble," Jeffrey said with a laugh.
Some academic departments feel the policy's effects regularly - the English department hosts at least one reception per semester, for instance.
Others, like the biology and chemistry departments, never host official events that involve alcohol, said Professor of Biology Frank Steiner and Associate Professor of Chemistry Mark Nussbaum.
"Honestly, it's never been a question," Steiner said. "Anything that we have where alcohol is present is always in an unofficial capacity."
Sophomore Zach Miller said he agrees with the college's policy and understands the desire to keep events dignified.
But junior Paul Smith said he thinks the college should serve students of drinking age.
"If they're promoting self-government, then they should let students make the choice, especially if it's legal," he said.
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