<p>The city in which S2's university is located has about had it with students partying at neighborhood homes. They are trying to pass an ordinance something to the effect of only 4 guests can be present at any home where alcohol is being served. It sounds pretty dicey as to whether that would be legal, but in any case, it seems like there is no solution to the problem. The people who live in the community are understandably tired of loud parties in their neighborhoods. Kids hang outside drinking, they leave trash, and they urinate in the bushes (according to the neighbors). And not to mention underage drinking.</p>
<p>However, the kids are going to party. The university can't allow them to have alcohol on campus since most students are underage. It doesn't help that there is no fraternity row there, so most of the greeks live in houses in the community.</p>
<p>Any creative solutions you've seen at your kids' schools?</p>
<p>My understanding is that Claremont Colleges ALLOW underage kids to drink alcohol on campus & I believe they even provide it (heard this from a parent whose kid attends there). I guess that’s one solution, but not really one I think is a great one.</p>
<p>Anyone COULD be cited for disturbiing the peace if they are making noise over a state decibel level outside of whatever time is designated by any law, if that’s something they want to work on passing. Kids could be cited for leaving trash or underage drinking IF the cops want to enforce it.</p>
<p>What has the U offered to do to help resolve this problem? Presumably the students bring some money into the community, so you would want to work with the U & students to come up with a solution that would encourage cooperation instead of hostility. </p>
<p>By the way, won’t the adults happen to have parties where alcohol is served & there are more than 4 guests? Parties or gatherings can also be plenty loud with NO alcohol.</p>
<p>Good point about the community members likely having more than 4 guests. And how would you know someone had alcohol in their house unless you went in? I wouldn’t think they could get a warrant to enter your house to see if people are drinking in there! What if the students started calling it in every time a community member was having a baby shower at their home?</p>
<p>In my original message, I emphasized the concerns of the community members, but my actual concern is more the students. As it is, the students walk to these parties from campus or from their own houses. If they push them out of town, they are going to be drinking and driving. When one of the students brought up at the city council meeting that this would undoubtedly increase the number of drunk drivers in town, S said that the community members at the meeting all started yelling derisively. Stuff like, “Oh give me a break!” and “That’s ridiculous!”. He said it was funny because the students who spoke were all calm and dignified, but the community members were yelling and acting like children.</p>
<p>Yes, the ideal solution would be for the students to quit having parties with alcohol, but we all know that won’t happen. I don’t see what the U can possibly do about it. Tell them not to serve alcohol? They have no right to do that. And it seems to me that allowing underage drinking on campus is a mega-lawsuit waiting to happen.</p>
<p>Yes, I was surprised that some campuses offer alcohol to underage people. Could the community & U come offer GREAT, attractive alcohol-free fun activities? I know they have “smoke free” events in our state. I also know that some church groups make a great effort to offer lots of fun activities with no alcohol or other drugs–perhaps the community & U can offer more of these to keep the students engaged & active.</p>
<p>Are there “clubs” where the kids can go which have no alcohol where they can socialize, eat, consume non-alcoholic beverages (including awesome blended VIRGIN drinks) and/or dance? Might the community want to help be sure the U/community has such places for the students?</p>
<p>The community needs to remember that students are adding money & if they do any outreach services to the community and work out a win-win solution. Increased drunk driving is a huge concern and it sounds like the students worked at being thoughtful about the topic. Could a committee of students and community and university personnel be formed to help consider options?</p>
<p>IMHO, current “nuisance” or “disturbing the peace” laws should cover neighborhood problems. If six or eight 20-year-old students are drinking wine with the pasta dinner they cooked inside a house that they live in or walked to, they are not bothering anyone. If the same students are playing music or making noise that is annoyingly loud and can be heard outside the house, the police can be called. If students are peeing on your trees, the police can be called. No new laws required.</p>
<p>A police car driving slowly through the neighborhood every so often on Friday and Saturday nights would help this community, I think.</p>