<p>I can't speak to Williams but in would guess that in rural areas there is more alcohol use b/c there is less to keep you occupied and interested unless you have a car and plenty of $$$ for gas.......b/c rural area is usually (and is the case with Williams) far from a major area. Colby has a significant alcohol problem and it is far less rural than Williamstown. It is going to exist - students just have to learn how to deal with it. My D thought that the concept of a "dry campus" meant no one drank........I hastily straightened her out. Aside from very religious schools I don't think any campus is "dry". Really - how many of you CC parents snuck alcohol in places whrere you weren't supposed to? Doesn't mean it was right but is our job as parents to say "don't do it all"., or is it to teach them to be sensible and responsible? Alcohol is everywhere and it doesn't stop with college. I've been to work parties where grown adults were completely irresponsible......Sorry, got on a roll there.....</p>
<p>* "at the hands of a pack of lawyerly dweebs"*</p>
<p>Judging from the photo of the Harvard Crimson author appearing next to his op ed, he probably should have his license to use the phrase "lawyerly dweeb" revoked. Can you call someone a "lawyerly dweeb" while wearing a bow tie in your college photo?</p>
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..is our job as parents to say "don't do it all".,
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<p>I can't speak for mini, but I don't personally know a parent, certainly not one in our house, who said, "don't drink in college".</p>
<p>I did mention, to the point of becoming a family joke, "don't drink 21 shots on the twenty-first birthday".</p>
<p>I do know some, but I work in the addictions field. There are families where the genetic predisposition toward alcoholism and addiction are extremely high, and any use puts them at risk. I also know families with children who have specific medical conditions (like the OP's son) who would tell their children not to drink at all (not just at college, but anywhere). How succesful they are, I wouldn't know. Oh, and I have Latter Day Saints friends who get upset if their kids drink Coca-Cola.</p>
<p>My kids know that the only thing is this regard that drives me crazy is the idea that they might get into a car with someone who has been drinking. They've had to endure "the lecture" from me twice a year since they were 10. I have always trusted their judgment around drinking, they've been raised around a bunch of Quakers, and while they (like all kids) could get themselves into trouble, their risk is relatively low. But for some reason, the car thing drives me nuts!</p>
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My kids know that the only thing is this regard that drives me crazy is the idea that they might get into a car with someone who has been drinking.
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<p>Amen. That topic was well covered here, too. Even during college vacations, zero tolerance for drinking at all and then driving. Going to a movie after dinner? No wine. No beer with dinner.</p>
<p>"Can you call someone a "lawyerly dweeb" while wearing a bow tie in your college photo?"</p>
<p>You can when you're sarcastically putting words in the mouths of your fellow students, which is what he's doing in this quote. This author (one voice out of 6500) is in favor of stricter enforcement of alcohol laws on campus, and thinks his classmates are making themselves ridiculous by opposing it.</p>
<p>"Roughly 60% of those who are or who become heavy drinkers in college will become alcoholics or develop serious problems related to alcohol as adults. (Some of them, by the way, will be very "successful" in their careers - alcoholics and addicts are not stupid, they are just alcoholics and addicts). It's just too many, and I wish educational institutions would see it as part of their calling to educate."</p>
<p>I'd like some proof to back this claim.</p>
<p>I wonder how it compares to the non-college cohort of young adults age 18 - 22. IOW, is this a college issue per se, or simply an age issue. Plenty of non-college attending, straight-to-the-work-force young adults drink as well.</p>
<p>^thing is as a working adult they cannot go out and drink on a tuesday night without consequences. however, a college student can do so, skip all his classes the next day, and nothing will happen. no drop in grades, no getting kicked out of school, nothing.</p>
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I can't speak to Williams but in would guess that in rural areas there is more alcohol use b/c there is less to keep you occupied and interested unless you have a car and plenty of $$$ for gas.......b/c rural area is usually (and is the case with Williams) far from a major area.
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<p>I would like to speak for my son's experience at Williams. Other parents who post on this board have collaborated this opinion as well. </p>
<p>A rural insular environment isn't for everyone, but those who like it, love it. My son had only ever lived in big cities growing up and started his college search targeting city or suburban schools. so it came as a bit of surprise to him that he was attracted to some of the most remotely located places, like Williams, Hamilton, Kenyon.</p>
<p>I know that every tour guide tells you this, but in the case of the kids I know who are happy at their rural schools it really is true that there's a lot to do. At a school like Williams that has a major focus on the arts and sports there are a multitude of activities going on all the time. Kids either participate or support their friends.</p>
<p>Maybe this isn't appropriate for the kind of kid who wants to go to clubs and shopping malls and a different restaurant everynight, but a rural environment is perfect for kids who like nature, who like to hangout with small groups, who like winter sports and outdoorsy activities, who cherish the insularity and sense of community that a small remotely located campus offers.</p>
<p>As for the drinking, I don't think it's so simple as to say that close encounter with nature = alcoholism. Sometimes, in the case of my son and his Eagle Scout friends, just the opposite is true. There are plenty of rural schools that attract serious, even crunchy kids -- like Grinnell or Holyoke. </p>
<p>Driving isn't so much of an issue as kids really do tend to stay on campus on the weekends and travel by foot. Plus, kids are pretty well educated about designated non-drinkers these days. </p>
<p>Conversely there are plenty of urban and suburban schools where party-hardy is the culture. Kids at Penn and BC may have lots of cultural options but they still choose to socialize on campus.</p>
<p>Drink beer</p>
<p>Friend of mine has a son at Cornell, big into the Greek scene. Friend says his son is majoring in beer. Friend says at the prices he's paying to send the son there, he hopes it's at least good beer.</p>
<p>oh my gosh, y'all! This thread completely changed from frats/srats to binge drinking! People need to realize that there is more to Greek life than drinking. Yes, I know that W&L has a very high drinking rate. I also know that we are one of the top 20 LACs in the country. Clearly we're doing something right. As far as drinking goes, it's gonna happen no matter what the Greek scene is like. If kids aren't drinking at fraternity parties, they will be able to in bars/dorms/whatever. And parents- we tend to be a lot safer and smarter about not drinking and driving than you think.</p>
<p>'Scary</a>' Drinking Behavior Rises at GWU - washingtonpost.com</p>
<p>OK, so how does this fit with the rural/city trend I keep reading about on these boards? I actually know an EMT student at GW who is amazed at the amount of drunk students who need to be brought to the ER. Shows that these trend statistics can really be off sometimes...</p>
<p>Okay, I did not read all the posts, but I wanted to point out some of the positive things that Greek life contributes to my particular campus (30%).</p>
<p>Without Greek life, most of our school-sponsored events would not exist. The biggest and most popular event of the year, Lip Sync, is a competition between new members of the different fraternities and sororities that nearly everyone on campus comes to. If Greek life goes to something, then chances are that the rest of campus will follow. Our school is very small (1700) and everyone has friends that are in Greek life, whether they are in a fraternity/sorority themselves or not. Event planners make a point to get Greek life involved, because they know it will drive attendance and campus unity.</p>
<p>All the Greek organizations at our school have been held to higher standards in recent years, and have led a school-wide shift from a "party" school to a more community-service oriented one. This past semester, my fraternity by itself had a bowl-a-thon, a book drive, blood drive, participated in Relay for Life, and a couple other events that benefitted organizations such as the local homeless coalition. And we don't do as much as some other fraternities and sororities do. Most major community service projects are spearheaded by Greek life, or sponsored by someone in a fraternity or sorority.</p>
<p>Greek life keeps on-campus life active. Whereas most schools in my state have students living off-campus after their first year, my school has 70% of students living on-campus. A large contributor to this is Greek life's housing being directly on-campus. It keeps student life for on-campus students relevant even after the first year.</p>
<p>One problem I have seen at other schools is that Greek life is about exclusiveness. Especially at Big State U.'s. At my school it is the complete opposite. I actually knew no one in my fraternity when I joined, and most of my friends joined other ones or were current members of other ones. I freely go between any events or parties hosted by any of the houses on-campus, and so does everyone else. Most schools have the more "exclusive" feel with Greek life, such as my friends at State U. can't go to any Greek parties except their own or their sister sorority's. It's one of the things I really appreciate about my school.</p>
<p>George Washington University binge drinking rates:</p>
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While GW statistics from a 1999 CORE survey show binge drinking levels at GW match the national average at 44 percent, officials said they are still concerned about dangerous alcohol consumption practices of students. The survey defines binge drinking for men as drinking five of more drinks in a row, and four or more drinks for women.
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<p>GW</a> emphasizes responsible drinking - News</p>
<p>Imagine how bad it must be at schools above the national average.</p>
<p>Thank you to the Fraternity member a couple posts above me who pointed out some of the positives Greek life has to offer.</p>
<p>However, I DO go to a State U. and am part of one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) Greek communities in the nation. While houses will always have their petty "reputations," I would argue that because there are so many options of chapters, that feeling of exclusivity is greatly diminished. It's not a big deal to be a part of Greek life, because everyone who wants to join a chapter is able to (as long as they keep an open mind and don't limit themselves to certain houses.)</p>
<p>Anyway, I have many, many non-Greek friends at college as well, who don't feel as though their ability to have a good time and make friends is in any way hindered by their decision to not join a house. There are many other organizations to join, no matter the college!</p>
<p>Just my thoughts!</p>
<p>ALSO, in regards to drinking: I'm not going to lie, there are many opportunities to indulge in liquid sin if you're Greek. However, if you want it, you can get it just as easily if you are NOT part of a house. Most frat brothers drink, this is true, but there are those out there who choose to do so responsibly. My sorority has more than a few members who choose not to drink at all, or limit themselves to one or two occasionally, etc. As long as you join the right house, you will never be pressured to do anything you don't want to.</p>
<p>ID - Those binge drinking stats you posted for GW are nearly 10 years old. There's certainly a possibility that the rate has gone up significantly - in line with the hospital admissions trend.<br>
My point here is that when you aggregate data for rural locations, or greek populations, or any factor, you tend to make assumptions about schools that fit those findings. "Overall, urban schools have less drinking". That doesn't mean that all urban schools have low drinking rates. Boston College and GWU are notable exceptions. As I said, I personally know an student EMT at GW and I'll take his personal observations over a 10-year old survey. He sees things on a daily basis that would make your hair fall out. And he describes a pervasive drinking culture that's not much different than what you describe at some of the rural schools you like to bash.
Yes, it is a matter of degree. And students, especially those who don't want to drink should go in with their eyes wide open. But your posts - as someone pointed out before - lack objectivity. High binge drinking rate? Cross it off your list. Really, it's not that simple. I know quite a few students who go to W&L. One of them is a non-drinker and she found her niche and is just fine. I visited the campus myself with my son a few years ago.The professors are terrific, the campus is beautiful, the students are smart and friendly. And their pride in their school is very strong. Granted, they do have issues with drinking, but I don't see it as the one dimensional hell-hole you describe.</p>
<p>Another side to Greek Life (back to the question of "influence on campus"). Some folks have been brining up charity and service work.<br>
Penn State (a school that is bashed regularly by ID for high binge drinking rates - last measured at 53%) - has THON, a charity started by the greeks - and although greek influence in the event is still strong...it is open to everyone on campus. The information below does not reflect what THON raised in 2008 - 6.7 million dollars! </p>
<h1>THON™ is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, through it more than $46 million has been raised for kids with cancer.</h1>
<h1>The Four Diamonds Fund provides money for comprehensive care of children with cancer, support for their families, and for research of pediatric cancer.</h1>
<p>My son asked me to host a Thon "canning" event at our home last winter. He brought his five brothers, they slept in our basement, and stood outside in the cold for 2 full days collecting for this charity. They do this four time per year - in addition to other events - and leading to the 3-day marathon at the Bryce Jordan center. Before he was greek, he participated as an independent, so the event has really crossed boundaries across all student populations.
I'm not claiming my son is in a "Mother Teresa" fraternity. Just another side...it's not all bad.</p>
<p>"Without Greek life, most of our school-sponsored events would not exist."
"As far as drinking goes, it's gonna happen no matter what the Greek scene is like."</p>
<p>Hmmm...</p>