<p>I just read the article below and was pretty shocked... I was wondering if a current Middlebury student could tell me how much truth there is to these regulations. I'm deciding between G-Town and Midd, and I've gotta say... I'd hate to have to deal with all this red tape. I always pictured college as more of a freewheeling experience.</p>
<p>Are all these rules for real?</p>
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<p>Newly redistricted liquor inspector for Middlebury Michael G. Davidson plans to hold the College more accountable for violations of state liquor laws, potentially altering the nature of social life on campus.</p>
<p>Davidson's new statute interpretations include a redefinition of the term "public resort" that will prevent any student organization from hosting an open event with alcohol unless the party is licensed, catered and registered in advance.</p>
<p>In response to the new interpretation of state liquor laws, Middlebury College has changed a number of its policies. According to Doug Adams, irector of the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL)</p>
<p>"As of this time [CCAL is] still working with the Student Government Association (SGA), student organizations, Commons Councils and Social Houses on the implementation of these changes," said Adams. "While the vast majority of the College's alcohol policy and party regulations did not change there are two differences for this year."</p>
<p>The two alterations include the policy that hosts wishing to register a party must be residents of the commons where the approved social space is located. For individual houses, including academic interest houses, social houses and senior houses, the party host must be a resident of that house.</p>
<p>Student hosts must be of legal drinking age and take a course in party hosting through CCAL. In a campus-wide e-mail, Campus Activities stated that student hosts will be personally responsible and liable for serving underage students, the negligent service of alcohol and the reckless service of alcohol. This regulation is expected to place a heavy legal burden on student party hosts that did not previously exist before this semester.</p>
<p>The second major change is that all Middlebury College parties will be required to have a guest list - a great departure from previous years where many parties were open to all students. Adams said, "In accordance with Vermont state law, admittance to private parties at which alcohol is served is limited to invited guests. Catered events where alcohol is served may be open to the entire campus under the College's catering license." Additionally, weekend events must be registered with the appropriate commons coordinator by 3 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the event.</p>
<p>Omega Alpha (Tavern) President Andrew Barriger '06 outlined the policy that social houses will be following regarding parties this year. The majority of parties will be by invitation only. Upon receiving an invitation, students may bring one guest with them. Students must present their Middlebury College I.D. and their invitation in order to enter. After presenting those materials, students will be given a wrist band that designates them as underage or of drinking age.</p>
<p>Barriger stated, "This is not something that the social houses want to do. We're going to try to keep things as close to the status quo from last year as possible, but please bear with us as we implement these changes. We're not trying to exclude anyone, we've just been put in a difficult situation and we are doing the best with it that we can."</p>
<p>SGA President Eli Berman '07.5 stated the importance of cooperating with the new regulations: "It's important that we know exactly what the law is," he said, "so we can be in compliance with it." Additionally, Berman asserted his role as a liaison to Davidson so that Middlebury can respect the new regulations.</p>
<p>One fear that members of the Middlebury community have expressed is that parties will move off campus, increasing the likelihood of drunk driving and reckless alcohol consumption. Berman also noted the difficulties that the new policies will have for Middlebury students and the importance of keeping the social life on campus: "It would be best for social life to stay on campus so that there is no risk that students will get behind the wheel if they're not in condition to drive. Hopefully, this law will not lead to that."</p>