I am a prospective student, and I have heard/read a lot about the new alcohol policies at Dartmouth. I know that if I end up attending Dartmouth, I will want to drink before I am 21. How strictly do they enforce the no drinking/being served before you are 21? I read that there will be a whole process put in place to systematically identify and punish students who are intoxicated and under age, which worries me. I really want to attend school in an environment in which the school trusts its students enough that students of all ages are allowed to consume alcohol and show signs of intoxication without having to be afraid of repercussions from either the school or local law enforcement. From talking to students and spending time on campuses, I know that both Rice and Yale have environments/attitudes similar to what I just described, even though both schools technically prohibit alcohol consumption by students under the age of 21. Administration and law enforcement on both campuses are not ever looking to or attempting to get students into any sort of trouble, and there is no punishment for alcohol consumption unless it leads to some other offense.
In addition, how strongly is the no hard liquor rule enforced? To me, it seems like a pretty reactionary rule put in place just to appease people who are willing to whine enough. If anything, won’t it just push liquor drinking underground, making it even more dangerous? If the administration is willing to make a rule this questionable, what’s next?
I really love all I have read and heard about Dartmouth except for the seemingly constant strife between students and administration and the perceived incompetency of the administration. In my opinion, a school as renowned as Dartmouth should have a mutual respect and trust between the students and the administration. I definitely don’t want to have to spend four years fighting the administration with my fraternity like so many of my peers will have to at state schools around the nation.
Any insight is much appreciated even though I assume only current students will be able to truly answer this question. And sorry for any typos (I’m typing this on my phone).