<p>I’m sure many of you in addition to looking for a quality education, are also looking to have some fun in college. They say it’s supposed to be the best four years of your life. AU’s alcohol policy doesn’t help make those years so great though. It is extremely strict and harsh. First time alcohol violators, regardless of how serious (a single beer included), often have to take an alcohol and drug program, and pay $65 for it. Oh, and don’t forget, the 5 classes start at 8am go for a week. This class sometimes requires going to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting! That’s right. A college student having a beer after class on a Friday is a true sign of an alcoholic. And the violation is on your judicial record so when you apply for a job or grad school, they may very well ask to see it. Off campus isn’t safe either. If you get caught in the city with alcohol by DC police, AU makes you take the program. Get caught again and its much worse - many hours of community service, probation etc. GW, a school many of you are probably considering, gives you a warning letter the first time you get caught - no punishment. A bit more realistic I’d say.</p>
<p>Wow, I thought that when I was going to read this, it would be about something actually MEANINGFUL, not about alcohol. I've done my research and have heard that are plenty of good OFF CAMPUS parties at
AU. And I've talked to a friend who goes to Georgetown who said that AU has great parties. I'm not a student yet , and I'm sure you have a better opinion then I do, but I've heard a lot about this whole subject. I understand that having fun should be part of your college life, don't get me wrong. But academics should be your number one priority, not an alcohol policy. Anyone who would reconsider a school due to their alcohol policy needs to revaluate their priorites. </p>
<p>I'm sure that stuents sign a policy also saying they will abide by the rules, and know that there are consequences. So I don't know, I don't feel like you really have room to complain when you already agreed that you wouldn't do those things. And I'm not trying to come off as harsh or mean, I just think that most of hear think that the academics at AU greatly outweigh it's harsh alcohol policy. And look around...Georgetown, GW, Catholic...I think there are plenty of opportunties to get drunk if you really want to.</p>
<p>good for you, jesiee! i happened upon this thread, and can't quite believe it.
in the language of CC, this seems like a "troll".( there are many AU bashers at GW, as they are rivals.) yes, DC is "dry", but one of the best places in the country to go to college is...um...DC. so, all prospective AU students...you're smart enough to figure this one out! IN THEORY, NO DC schools allow alcohol, but there are parties at all of them to be had. and YES, academics first.</p>
<p>Happycollegemom, you seem really cool! I've read a lot of your posts and
I love how you defend AU! I mean I'm sure there are a few drawbacks, but in all honesty, what school doesn't have at least a few drawbacks? And GW, I'm sure, is a lovely school but I think I am going to fit in so much better at AU. I just always hear how wonderful the professors are and how easy it is to actually get to know them. I will do well at a challenging school, but not a overly competitive school. I got my phone call last night and I'm so excited about next year!</p>
<p>thanks, jesie! AND CONGRATULATIONS!!!!</p>
<p>Of course academics are the first priority but when AU makes you take an hour and half long class before an exam you have, it certainly is something that will affect your schoolwork. Jessie, you mentioned that there are good off campus parties, which there are. And you probably havent heard of many people getting in trouble for them because the enforcement of the off campus jurisdiction only began a few months ago but, it will be there when you get to AU. Look at the alcohol policy like a car accident. You dont worry about it until it happens. You are probably planning to do well in school and getting involved in DC but are you planning to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? Is anyone?</p>
<p>About the papers you sign, take a careful look at them. Does it say exactly what happens? Nope. It says what may happen. Its a vague contract, but hey, you dont have to attend the school.
I must also say Im shocked that a future AU student would say, I don't feel like you really have room to complain when you already agreed that you wouldn't do those things. AU is among the most political active schools in the country, its a place where pushing, or complaining as you refer to it, for change happens all the time. The student government complains all the time to the administration and it works. A few miles away is the Supreme Court, a building that probably has seen the most complainers in recorded history. </p>
<p>Im not trying to be a rebellious college student looking to turn people away from AU. I enjoy a lot of things about it, including the academics. But this information is something you wont hear on the tour and while clearly you two felt it is useless, perhaps others will take it into consideration and if so, I will feel that I have done my part as a member of College Confidential and done a service for college bound students.</p>
<p>It is precisely what we heard on the tour. We also heard of American's Good Samaritan policy where students don't get in trouble for calling for help for a dangerously inebriated classmate. </p>
<p>I think it's about time that a school has finally taken the alcohol epidemic, and its impact on campus life seriously.</p>
<p>Mini,
Yes that is correct, you do not get in trouble for reporting an alcohol-poisoned student. Why would you? You are probably referring to the policy that students who are extremely intoxicated and need an ambulance are the ones that don?t get in trouble. This is to encourage their friends to call for help as they know that if they do, their friend won?t be punished. The person who has to go in the ambulance is still required to take an alcohol and drug education class but has no judicial record. But this is irrelevant. The number of students who are transported to the hospital is nothing compared to the number of students who drink safely. I am highly against binge drinking. I think it?s stupid and immature. I?m criticizing the harsh policy towards people caught with alcohol who weren?t endangering themselves or others. </p>
<p>You think underage drinking by college students is an epidemic that has an impact on campus life? Alcoholism and ambulance transports certainly effect campus life but that is such a small number, a fry cry from an epidemic. Lets take a look at some of the best schools in the country. Dartmouth and U. Michigan are known for their party scene yet still churn out some of the brightest people in the world. Is it really fair and realistic to screw over a kid?s life by expelling him for getting caught a few times having a beer on a Sunday afternoon watching a football game?</p>
<p>My alma mater is the #1 LAC in the country. It also has one of the higher binge drinking rates (very similar to Dartmouth). More than that - 29% of students are heavy drinkers (binge a minimum 3 times every two weeks.) 16% of the students (higher for whites, and for males), will end up as alcoholics or have serious alcohol problems within the next 20 years. Some will be bank presidents, lawyers, doctors, leading business executives. </p>
<p>Alcoholics aren't stupid. They're alcoholics.</p>
<p>And if incipient alcoholics choose not to go American because of its alcohol policies, I say more power to them. There are 1,600 other schools from which to choose.</p>
<p>So you are clearly againts the binge drinking that occurs in college as am I. But first, is it really the school's business to get involved with the personal health of every student? So long as a student isn't impacting campus life as a whole, should the school really take action? Secondly, I think schools should be anti binge drinking but harsh policies towards drinking, regardless of how much and how often are outrageous. Do you not agree?</p>
<p>Although I can see that by being thrown into an alcoholism class may seem somewhat invasive and time consuming, I think that it is the exception, not the rule. As has been already said, AU and other DC schools are restrictive by DC regulations in terms of alcohol use. However, that is not to say there are no parties nor opportunities to socialize -- we all do! I haven't know anyone whose been forced into such a situation.</p>
<p>Johndoe I COMPLETELY agree with you that the policy is too harsh and that you shouldn't be punished if you are drinking reasonably and responsibly. I've heard stories about how kids have to write stories explaining how meth can ruin their lives, when all they did was get caught with alcohol. </p>
<p>But, that's not a reason for me to reconsider American. I don't think their policy is by any means fair, but there are plenty of places to go party besides the dorm room. And again, the opportunities the AU offers its academics greatly outweigh some of their stupid rules.</p>
<p>Thank you for your information Johndoe, though drinking is not my priority in college (otherwise I'd go for a major party school) I find this a very strict means of executing an alcohol policy.</p>
<p>Better than room busts! Check out UVM!</p>
<p>I would never expect someone to base his or her decision on the alcohol policy of a school when deciding to go there or not. It would be wrong however to not expose this problem to future or potential students. Remember, a school should work for the respect of its students. No student should be afraid or hesitant to discuss any negative aspects of their university.</p>
<p>As a current student at AU, I feel as if I can shed some light on AU's alcohol policies. About 8 or 9 years ago AU had a terrible drug an alcohol problem. The FBI actually ended up raiding several rooms on campus and uncovered a large amount of cocaine and $$$. Around the same time, a student attempted to climb through a window (intoxicated) in Leonard only to fall to their death.</p>
<p>Needless to say, AU quickly became a "dry campus", and the school has worked quite hard ever since to control the amount of subtance use and/or abuse on campus. It is truly a liability problem. If some student drinks too much in their room and injures themselves, AU would most likely be sued by the family, etc etc. </p>
<p>I must say, after visiting other schools, I find the dry campus refreshing. While there is a no alcohol policy on campus, plenty of students keep it in their rooms anyways, and RAs can only enter a room to search with your permission and only if there is "reasonable suspision" (noise). However, I believe because it is discouraged, the dorms are cleaner, and people tend to be more responsible.</p>
<p>I have attended plenty of parties off campus, and now that I live in my own house with friends, have thrown many myself. I do not believe the "dry campus" has affected my social life at all. Who wants to drink on campus in their rooms when you have all of DC, and plenty of frat parties anyways?</p>
<p>nice post, Britty! how are you? haven't seen you in a while. hope all's well !</p>
<p>My daughter applied to American and she was ecstatic to learn that they were a "dry" campus. I attended a large university in the city and there were plenty of parties going on all weekend. The dorm was a mess and my parents paid for it at the end of the year in the form of a "common area damage fee". When we visited the campus for a "Day in the Life" program, the students there were very open about this topic. They actually seemed to respect the University's policy. Of course, I heard, just like all schools, you can get your hands on things if you know where to go or look. When she does interviews she always inquires if there is wellness housing. Most of the interviewers don't know what she is referring to!</p>
<p>Just a quick question. Indiana University is not a dry campus, but you aren't allowed to have alcohol in the dorms. What's the difference? It seems like most schools prohibit alcohol in the dorms regardless of their policy.</p>
<p>The difference is even if you are of age, 21, you can't have alcohol in the dorms. A lot of schools allow 21 year-olds to have alcohol in their rooms. As well, many schools turn a blind eye to alcohol being in the room. Nevertheless, even our RA told us as long as we put alcohol in our closests, not out in the open, she doesn't care. And I live on an honors floor.</p>