With all the widespread changes being made to academic programs at the University, students may not have noticed a change in approach to a popular college beverage - alcohol. A change in alcohol policy is another step administrators are taking to further shape the University from many separate parts into a whole.
For those of the legal drinking age living in a residence hall or University apartment, this means alcohol consumption in the privacy of their rooms is permitted.
Residence Life has created a new policy for the University in the Undergraduate Residents' Guidelines Handbook, which will stand as law for over 14,000 students in 144 buildings between the New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses.
The policy change came from the change in college affiliation by campus, said Executive Director of Residence Life Joan Carbone.
"The reason the policy changed is because each campus had a different policy. What you see now in our policy is an agreement among all of the policies, it is not the same as any one policy previously was," Carbone said.
Although it has always been a University policy to allow residents who are 21 years of age or older to have alcohol in their rooms, Carbone said in the past the school gave permission to the different campuses to make more stringent policies. Over the years, each college has taken advantage of this freedom, creating different policies on alcohol and residence halls depending on the campus or college.
The new University policy, which was created by a committee of Residence Life staff as well as students from all campuses, should be easy for students to follow, as it is similar to state law, said senior Residence Advisor Brian Sherry of Campbell Hall.
"The policy follows mainly what the state laws are. Anyone under 21 cannot be in possession of alcohol and those who are 21 may not serve alcohol to minors or drink in public areas of the halls," Sherry said.
In terms of what is considered public and private in the halls, the policy follows a clear-cut rule.
"Residents that are of age are allowed to have alcohol in the privacy of their own room. This means that if they are drinking it must be done with the door shut and without making a disturbance such as loud noise," Sherry said.
According to the policy, all common rooms that are open to the public are not considered private. If a student is drinking in their room and has the door open, Residence Life explains it is also considered a public space. In order for drinking to be permitted, all residences of legal age must keep their doors closed and only drink or serve others of legal age.
For sanctioned "parties," such as those offered at university apartments, the Residential Assistant must be notified in advance of all types of alcohol being served. Alcohol and regular beverages must be served in equal quantities, and food must also be served. Additionally, the policy states that at functions where alcohol is served, the host must remain sober at all times to help enforce those rules.
Carbone said this policy has always followed the guidelines of public and private space throughout the years on a University level.
The only major difference is alcohol was previously not permitted in first year residence halls. With the revised policy, upperclassmen who live in a first year single are permitted to bring alcohol into their rooms.
Although alcohol is permitted in rooms of students 21 years or older, the policy states no tap alcohol beverages, such as kegs are allowed in rooms at any time. For those living in a University-owned apartment or suite, quarter kegs are allowed only with the approval of the Residence Life Coordinator.
First-year student Alex Bugowski, a resident of Tinsley Hall on the College Avenue campus, agrees with the new policy.
"I don't think it's necessarily bad if you drink with responsibility," he said. "The dorm rooms are meant for studying, but you shouldn't ban alcohol for those who can drink it. There should be limitations."
Douglass College senior Christie Yang thinks the new policy will not affect student behavior.
"It doesn't make too much of a difference," she said. "There's no such thing as a dry dorm to begin with. As long as you're 21, you can have alcohol."
While the policy gives certain students more freedom than before, Sherry said he believes as long as students follow the guidelines, there should not be a problem with the policy nor will it make his position the hall any different from reprimanding residents.
"If we hear a disturbance we're going to approach it in the same way as always. We know which one of our residents are 21 in the hall and according to the situation, we'll handle it the way our protocol says," Sherry said.
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