Sober alternative

'U' takes a step to curb underage drinking

After a week of late night studying and early morning classes, many college students unwind by spending their weekend drinking and staying out all night. Although more than half of the undergraduate student body is underage, drinking seems to be a favorite pastime among students. For this reason the Office of New Student Programs wants to offer alternatives to students who are too young to legally drink.

In theory, the proposal to offer substance free activities is a respectable and responsible one on the part of the University; however, it may be idealistic to believe that the majority of students would be willing to spend their weekends sober. Fortunately, the committee realizes that this proposal is an alternative and not a solution to underage drinking. Knowing that underage drinking can get them in trouble does not seem to curb students' behavior. With new, stricter MIP laws in effect, this proposal seems to come at an opportune time.

While the University could become stricter in prosecuting minors in possession, they have instead chosen a more student-friendly approach in order to try to lessen binge drinking. Although, it is not responsible for creating alternative weekend events, the University is taking an active interest in the affairs of its student body. The Student Programming Subcommittee sees a problem that they believe they can help alleviate by providing "a highly visible slate of regular weekend social programming to provide a clear alternative to drinking." It may not be a solution, but it is a start.

If this proposal goes into effect, the committee will need to come up with activities that will actually appeal to college age students, a demographic that is not easy to capture. Although Welcome Week at the beginning of the year offers a substance free environment in which students can socialize, not many students would remain content with such activities on a weekly basis.

Another issue is money. These activities need to be inexpensive, if not free, in order to compete with the free alcohol students receive at parties. The University needs to realize that finding cheap, entertaining activities every weekend is going to be a struggle.

College offers a newfound freedom to students who are living on their own for the first time. This freedom entails the ability to stay out all night drinking without having to answer to anybody. It seems hard to pass up such an opportunity, especially when Ann Arbor often seems as if it were designed for people over the age of 21. Yet, there are non-alcoholic alternatives out there for students who choose to seek them out. The problem is that most students do not have that desire. Although it is unlikely, perhaps by making these alternatives more accessible, the University will be able to help alleviate problems associated with underage college drinking.