<p>Alright to be clear I am at the top of my high school class at the best public high school in my state and am looking to attend UT for nuclear engineering. I'm one of those kids that do it all, basketball, boxing, AP calc,chem,eng,gov-econ, and I like to have fun. When I went to visit the other day I had a talk with the head of the nuke eng department and I am very interested but when I talked to an admission counselor and he said it was a dry campus I kind of got a sour look on my face. How is it ranked highly on the subjective party rankings if its dry. He said on game-days is only when alcohol is allowed. Can a student or someone knowledgeable comment on this? I'm not trying to be like animal house when I rush to be clear but this is a serious turn-off if the only time drinking is allowed is the few days of the year when there is a football game. And please, no snarky comments.</p>
<p>UTK is a dry campus. It does not become wet on game days. There must have been a miscommunication during your interview. Standards of conduct includes “Use, possession, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages on University-owned or controlled property may result in exclusion from the University or any lesser penalty.”</p>
<p>Yes, there is still plenty of drinking on and off campus, despite the official policy. Drinking was a very popular student activity when I attended a couple decades ago. I imagine that it still is today.</p>
<p>Even on a “wet” campus you will get in trouble if you are under 21 and found to be in possession or intoxicated. Colleges will not officially “allow” underage drinking.</p>
<p>I can’t speak for today, but when I went this Dry Campus was very wet every weekend regardless of whether there was a game. (I was not a party animal either, but did have a few drinks once I turned 21) Even though they risk punishment, the student still sneak in the liquor and beer. Every frat party I went to was well stocked. Also dry campus does not restrict the drinking in the neighboring apartment complexes that house students.</p>
<p>I agree that you should not drink illegally and I am adamant that you should not drink and drive (Even after one drink) as I lost my best friend to a drunk driver. That said, the fact that UT calls itself a dry campus will not stop any one from drinking who plans on drinking. There are too many options available - on and off campus.</p>
<p>I’m a UT student. Technically, UT is a dry campus. That doesn’t stop people from smuggling alcohol into their dorms all of the time. As long as you don’t aggravate your RA and/or your floor, and you don’t have alcohol out during room inspections, you shouldn’t* get in trouble. Oh, and I do NOT recommend playing beer pong or any other drinking game that involves a ping pong table in a dorm room. I’ve heard punishments ranging from being written up to having a letter sent home to your parents and taking a class on alcohol safety. Save games like that for off campus parties.
Also, listen to Galaxyfigment. Take the T if you’re going to a party that’s fairly close to campus, have a DD, or get some friends together to pay for a taxi. Do NOT drink and drive.</p>
<p>*Disclaimer: I’m not saying you WON’T get in trouble. Most people don’t get caught, but there is always a risk.</p>