Alcohol usually plays a pretty big role in college campuses across the nation – some more so than others – but nonetheless, alcohol in some way, shape or form is made readily available for most students.
Though Baker University is a dry campus, and alcohol is not permitted on any university property except the Markham/Horn Apartments, some students find a way to drink no matter what the consequences are.
Bryan VanOsdale, director of greek life, said even though there may be some differences among campuses regarding the alcohol situation, he does not think Baker is unique in any way.
“Baker is definitely not alone in this – alcohol on college campuses is an epidemic all across the nation,” he said. “Even though there may be ways of dealing with the situation, I don’t think there is one thing alone that educates the students enough on what could come of some of their actions when intoxicated.”
Sophomore Andrew Rowoldt said he thinks there is a huge difference between alcohol use at Baker versus other schools.
“Of course I think alcohol plays a role at Baker, but not near as big of one as it does at larger universities such as Kansas University and Kansas State University,” he said.
Junior Allyssa King said she thinks when Baker advertises itself as a dry campus, it gives off the wrong first impression regarding what it stands for.
“I know admissions promotes Baker as a dry campus when really it’s not,” King said. “I know a lot of students who find the alcohol content and drinking occurrence to be somewhat of a problem here, and I honestly don’t think that is ever going to change.”
Senior Anthony Billinger, who works for admissions, said he does not think Baker misconstrues campus life.
“Technically, the campus is dry. You don’t see people walking around campus with a beer in their hand, ready to go to class,” Billinger said. “Yes, the apartments and fraternities are not dry, but they are also not considered a part of the campus itself.”
Rowoldt said when he first thinks of a campus being dry, he automatically assumes the entire campus is cleared of alcohol, including properties associated with the university.
“I honestly do not think Baker’s campus will be 100 percent dry for a long time,” he said. “I understand why they enforce the rules about no drinking on campus and sororities, but I do not think it would go over very well if they turned everything dry including both apartments and fraternity houses.”
When considering how to handle a campus full of adults, it can be difficult for some schools to determine how to enforce such a rule as whether or not alcohol should be permitted.
“With 18 years old being the legal age to be considered an adult, every single student on this campus is a grown adult. Does everyone act like it? Of course not,” VanOsdale said. “Obviously, if you are above the age of 18, you are responsible for your own actions.”
Drinking does come with consequences that leave some students uninterested in what it has to offer.
“I have my own personal reasons for why I do not want to drink, but if others want to it is their choice and their life,” King said. “To an extent, there is not much a person can do to stop someone else from drinking.”
VanOsdale said forbidding alcohol is probably not the best solution to control alcohol consumption on campus.
“There is nothing wrong with alcohol on this campus, the problem is the people who choose to abuse their rights to have the alcohol in the first place,” VanOsdale said. “I’m not saying everyone should be dry; I’m saying they need to be responsible in what they do.”