Newsflash: The University is not proposing a new alcohol policy because you were too hung-over to make that 8:50 class last Friday morning. Rather it is because we have a definite alcohol problem on this campus. If you want proof, review the headlines from this past week: an alleged rape at a fraternity party, a young student hit by a drunk driver, and a rash of muggings and attacks all over campus. And according to one University official, the number of students sent to detox this year is roughly three times what it was last year. Like it or not, this campus can be a dangerous environment and alcohol is certainly the main culprit.

Now the University has proposed a new alcohol policy to address these problems. This is not the first policy that the University has proposed and certainly not the first time that students and student organizations have been shaken up by a proposal. Last Spring semester, for example, the Greeks tried to ban all hard alcohol and kegs from fraternity parties only to have the idea shot down by a group of fired-up students.

It's sad to see that on a campus so well known for its student demonstrations and initiatives we only get upset when someone tries to throw a wet blanket on our binge (i.e. proposed ban on bar specials, Halloween, Mifflin, etc.). We as a student body need to realize that there is a problem here on campus and that we helped create it. Instead of 'pledging to fight' the proposed alcohol policy, we should be proactive as a student body to find a solution to keep everyone safe while not ruining our fun. Wisconsin has one of the best social environments in the nation; I hope we can all work together to help make it one of the safest as well.

Tyler Wilkinson

UW Senior