<p>Yesterday I attended an information session and toured the AU campus, and was a little shocked and upset by the “dry campus” rule. I’m considering attending AU but am afraid that it is going to be a bit boring. I know that you don’t need alcohol to have fun and whatever, but an occasional cliche college party with a keg isn’t all that bad either. </p>
<p>Can someone please shed light on the party scene and/or weekend life in and around campus?</p>
<p>apparently in you live in anderson, letts, or centennial, finding a party shouldn't be a problem at all. one of the reasons I'm housing in anderson.</p>
<p>How strict are they about alcohol in dorms?</p>
<p>It is not difficult to drink in the dorms, of course most students will leave to attend rugby, crew, or frat parties, et. An RA cannot come into your room without reasonable cause to suspect alcohol use. Most RAs abide by the "If I don't see it and you aren't causing problems than I won't hassle you", etc. However, if you get sick or cause problems, or party with your door wide open there will most likely be someone around to report you. </p>
<p>I have never been disappointed in the social life at AU, the dry campus simply ensures that it remains a safe (and more clean) environment.</p>
<p>Recognize that drinking in the dorms is easy but lame. The best place to drink will always be off campus. It is easy to get caught in the dorms if you try to throw a "room party" because you will generally get caught if you are making an excessive amount of noise. </p>
<p>I lived in Leonard my freshman year and now I live in Centennial. A lot of people give Leonard a hard time and I will admit that my floor last year was not the best. However, I appreciated the fact that I could get a goodnight sleep whenever I wanted to and not have to worry about freshman acting like drunken idiots outside of my door at 4 in the morning. Centennial has been nice so far as well(minus the fire alarms); however you will not get this dorm until after freshman year. </p>
<p>As for partying, there will be plenty of options your first week at AU if you are into that sort of thing. Frat parties are a good place to meet people early on at AU but they get kind of lame quickly and people stop going(well, some never stop...). Clubs and Bars are other options. Most clubs are 18+ in DC but you should look at drinking somewhere else because even if you get served drinks, it will cost you a small fortune(again, from what I hear). Most bars in DC are 21+ but some are 18 and some are 18 just for girls(from what I hear). I have heard good things but I am not yet 21 and I always follow the law, for the record.</p>
<p>If you want to find a party, you can. It's best to party off campus, because AU won't do anything to you if you come back drunk (unless you are seriously ill). However, if you are caught drinking on campus the penalties are severe.</p>
<p>AU kids WANT to party, no doubt, but the school itself doesn't make it that easy. No alcohol is allowed in the dorms, but if you're caught drinking alcohol in the dorms you're pretty much screwed. Basically, you get a "hearing" with a judicial officer who hears your side of the story and then decides if you're guilty/innocent. If you are, you have to pay a $60 fee, attend an AA meeting, and attend a weeklong class at 7AM about drug/alcohol awareness. </p>
<p>Moral of the story: don't get caught.</p>
<p>Also, this year AU's policy is going to get a LOT stricter. Even if you're in the room with others consuming alcohol, and you're NOT drinking and the other people are willing to vouch for you saying so, you will STILL receive the same punishment.</p>
<p>Anyway, AU kids basically enjoy themselves at fraternity parties, which thank god, don't get busted too often. Clubs and bars are good too.</p>
<p>Sorry if this seems like a downer, but I def. would have wished someone could of informed me of AU's VERY dry policy before I came.</p>