<p>Times are changing. 30 years ago, there was something called a “third floor dangle”, where people were supposedly dangled by their ankles off the then top-floor of Wiess. Fast forward some years, this is not possible.</p>
<p>Similarly, what students could do and get away with has changed. If someone dies from alcohol poisoning, the university will be held liable in a court of law. As a result, they have to try their best to keep it under control.</p>
<p>The university policy has been, for lack of a better phrase, “Don’t ask, Don’t tell”. They do not do room searches or bust open parties unless forced to. The reason the alcohol policy has changed is because a critical mass of Rice kids decided to behave stupidly. If one or two get EMS’d a semester, it can be called an anomaly. If 6 people go to the hospital in one night and then another few the next, it becomes a systematic problem that Rice failed to address.</p>
<p>Smart students have not and do not still get in trouble and get caught. When the problem makers are straightened out/expunged, the situation will go back to the way it was. If you are underage and drinking now and do not wear a neon sign telling the world such, you will be left alone.</p>