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Random Thought. . .
Regarding "in loco parentis". . .If our parents/family members (and society in general) did NOT hold our Universities responsible for our actions and instead held US responsible if we did something stupid (i.e. NOT sueing the University), then perhaps the University won't be so quick to "crack down" on drinking.
I know that Greeks have all of these rules and policies to protect us from liabilty. The University does the same, to an extent: they have rules on campus (and enforce them somewhat) so that they won't be held liable if someone breaks those rules. I see it as protection from a lawsuit. However, if society wasn't so quick to file a lawsuit whenever they are displeased about something.
XOMichelle, you may have something with the "bar on campus" idea. A few years ago, there was an incident at a college I was at where XYZ fraternity and ABC sorority had a mixer off campus, in another county, at a bar. On the way home, one of the drivers (who had been drinking) had an accident and killed an XYZ brother and an ABC sister. From what I know about the situation, the two groups attempted to reduce liability by having the mixer at a third party vendor who could check ID's. However, they are in trouble because they "apparently": 1. Did not provide sober drivers or third party transportation; 2. Had an "official" function where the primary occupation is to drink alcohol (I'm assuming this is against their rules--it is against AST rules); and 3. Allowed their underage members and pledged members to drink (i.e. did not tell the bartenders that they were underage, etc.) The bar where they had the mixer is in trouble because 1. They did not check ID's well enough (although the driver supposedly had a fake ID); and 2. Allowed the underage drinkers to drink. The parents of the deceased have sued the fraternity, sorority, the bar, and the university (although the university was dropped from the lawsuit, from what I heard). I think it goes to trial in January 2003.
Now, hindsight always being 20/20, it's possible that if this mixer had been on campus, 2 lives would not have been lost. The "bar on campus" would have been responsible to check ID's and "take up keys"/provide escorts and transportation. But it would have made the university liable if anything would have happened to anyone, which I don't think the university would go for.
I'm rambling, so I'll stop. I guess my point is that if we would take responsibility for our actions (as well as our family members holding us responsible, too), then maybe some of these restrictions could be more realistic.
:: off soapbox ::
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