Should colleges and universities ban alcohol for minors?

EDITORIAL

By Ruth Luse
   Just over a year ago, Hopewell Borough Council adopted an ordinance to ban the possession or consumption of alcohol on private property by those under the state’s legal drinking age of 21 without an adult relative or guardian present. Before passage of the ordinance, minors were only prohibited from drinking on public property.
   According to Hopewell Township police Chief George Meyer, state law does not prohibit underage drinking on private property, but it does give municipalities the authority to pass local ordinances. Hopewell’s ordinance, adopted last July, is based on the model ordinance provided by the state. Maybe it’s time the state did more than provide a model law.
   We wonder if having an ordinance on the books like Hopewell’s might help municipalities like Lawrence Township — which has a private university in its midst — deal with the ongoing problem of underage drinking on campuses.
   Area newspapers have been filled once again with the sad story of 18-year-old Rider University freshman Gary DeVercelly Jr., who died of alcohol poisoning on March 30 — two days after drinking entirely too much at a Phi Kappa Tau fraternity party. The stories center now on who should be blamed for his death. Those being charged with aggravated hazing include the dean of students, another administrator and various leaders of the fraternity, whose Rider chapter has been dissolved, according to reports. Too much, too little, too late?
   Rather than rush to find someone to blame for the young man’s death, society should be looking at the real problem: Why did something like this happen in a state where the legal drinking age is 21? Like it or not, students know what the law is when they choose to attend college here. We assume their parents also know about the law. If they do not, they should.
   Secondary institutions also should take more seriously the role they play in the problem. If they are skittish about the idea of banning the use of alcohol by minors, the very least they could do is take actions that would eradicate hazing. Irresponsible drinking — particularly by pledges (usually minors) — should not be encouraged in a fraternity setting. Fraternities, as well as sports teams, need to let go of "initiation rites" that can result in tragedies like the one that took the life of young Mr. DeVercelly.
   Of course, colleges and universities do not have to allow drinking by minors on campus. And at this point in time, we think they should not. At least one private institution we know, where fraternities are officially recognized student organizations, fraternities "must abide by the laws and standards of the community and state." These include laws about the use of alcohol.
   This school says in its handbook: "Because they are under the age of 21," the law prohibits most students from drinking alcoholic beverages. "For the sake of reasonable administration, and in order to create the best possible living and educational atmosphere, there shall be no use, possession, sale, or serving of alcoholic beverages by any student while on or in college property. In fairness to students, the same policy applies to guests and visitors to the campus."
   To us, the tragedy at nearby Rider University should be a lesson, not an opportunity to place blame. It is too late, unfortunately, to save the young man’s life.
   But it is not too late to save others. As unpopular as it might be to take a firm stand on the issue of drinking by minors on college campuses, it is, after all, the law that says they should not be drinking.
   What’s your opinion?