New Rule -- NO ALCOHOL

[exlurker]

While I agree that the new policy seems both broad and confusing, I'm not as sure as some other GCers are that it's entirely the product of the Greek life office at Washington U. A policy like this at a school where about 1/4 of the undergrads are Greek is rather likely to have been reviewed and either formally or informally approved by people considerably higher up in the university's administration, in my opinion. Given the recently-publicized fracas on the Row where a couple of security guards were injured (mildly) and last academic year's brouhaha about drinking / possible hazing at one of the fraternities, I wonder whether Washington U is trying to stave off the possibility of further alcohol-related negative publicity.

I think it's a real possibility; WU has put a lot of effort and money into successfully raising its general profile and academic reputation in the last several years. (Just see the three-page article entitled "A Hidden Gem No More" in the 2005 edition of U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges.) It seems to me that Washington U has zip zero nada interest in being known even remotely as a U of Colorado-style party school. I think it wants to maintain -- and probably increase -- its reputation as at least a peer of Columbia, Northwestern, and the like.
And while some people might wonder whether "alumni giving" could be used as a lever in dealing with WU and the alcohol policy, we may need to remember that with its existing three and a half billion dollar endowment, it would take a whale of a lot to affect the university seriously, I think.

Edited to add: The Oct. 20 St. Louis Post-Dispatch story on the ban quoted, among others, the vice chancellor for students at Washington U. It seemed pretty clear to me from that article that the new policy was okayed considerably higher up than just the Greek life office.

[exlurker]

One picture is worth a thousand words, they say, and the Washington U student paper took an interesting one. The Oct. 20, 2004 issue has a photo accompanying the story titled "Prohibition on the Row!" that shows "beer cans litter Frat Row after a big party weekend."

http://www.studlife.com/main.cfm/inc...yid/77378.html

Now, I've seen worse litter after parties more than once, so I'm not shocked to the core. BUT the photo is extremely interesting in light of the current ("2005") U.S. News & World Report America's Best Colleges. On page 36 of that special issue, in a three-page article singing the praises of Washington U, this appears:

"Yes, the frat houses have beer cans in front of them, but, incredibly, they're in garbage bags." (Italics in original.)

I wouldn't be surprised if the contrast between the picture of beer can litter and the image Washington U has worked hard to develop, nurture, and project -- a highly selective, rigorous school with top-flight students and faculty, a beautiful campus, etc -- has deeply disturbed the university's administration. And I think some of the recent quotes from administrators about "civility" and conduct that does not befit Washington U students reflect that concern. As I said in my previous post, my guess is that "party school" is not the image WU administrators are loking for. (Some parents may not be, either, especially if they're paying the full price of about forty thousand a year for tuition, fees, room, and board.)

[33girl]

And this is why kegs are better than canned beer. The amount of garbage cans must generate is insane, and I've actually heard of environmental groups on campuses fighting the no-keg policy because of it. Limiting the number of kegs is a far better idea than cans or BYOB.

[pinkyphimu]

anyone else find it funny that right next to the story about making the fraternities and sororities dry...there is a link for the "student bar guide." interesting.

[exlurker]

Update: Washington U (St. Louis) Alcohol Ban Lifted
The alcohol ban has been lifted, although it looks like rush still has to be dry. Student paper article with some student reactions:

http://www.studlife.com/news/2005/01...h-835167.shtml

There seem to be concerns about a possible effect on fraternity rush and about how programming on core values will work oout.

[RUgreek]

A discriminatory policy against a single group, gee if that doesn't sound so Dartmouthish

My whole position is, if you are going to pass a shitty policy, make it equal. Why is it that the governing association is not bound by this policy and can throw a raging keggar and not the greeks? Make the policy for all students and see how well they react to it.

Go underground is my advice. Host illegal parties (probably will happen anyway) and show them how idiotic is to push social life out of control. At least with greeks hosting parties, the situation is under control.

Oh well, I'm just glad I don't go there...