<p>I just saw on the news that pictures of underage drinking at sorority functions that were put on Facebook have resulted in the sororities involved being put on probation. During the interview, one guy said he didn’t agree with that because “that is what college is all about - partying, drinking and having fun.” I’m sure his parents will be happy to hear that.</p>
<p>Sororities (as well as fraternities) are under scrutiny because they are university organizations. The same thing would be done in response to a drunken facebook page for the soccer team or the student senate. University organizations are held to a higher standard, in that respect, than normal students… regular students in the privacy of their own homes are not subject to “search and seizure” type actions. Just part of doing business with the university; if you don’t like the heat, get out of the kitchen.</p>
<p>I don’t have a problem with what the University did. Facebook is so filled with pictures of teens drinking that it is a cliche. There is picture after picture of partially passed out, squinty eyed teens raising the bottle. They are so proud to be drinking it hurts to look at it. Then, to add insult to injury, these pictures are posted all over the place. </p>
<p>The other quote that just amazed me was a student who said that the reason you post pictures of drinking on Facebook is because you might not remember what you did the night before and you want to be able to look at the pictures and know that you had a good night - a good time. </p>
<p>That kid has already killed enough brain cells - he should just never speak again.</p>
<p>I hope financial aid office are pouring over those pages. It is one thing for the kids to have a grand time on their parents moolah, but university funds can be put to a better use. There is a plethora of deserving kids who do not think college is all about partying, drinking and having fun.</p>
<p>I love the way college administrators completely deny the drinking issue - until it shows up in the media.</p>
<p>I don’t think college administrators completely deny the drinking issue. They know about it. Most of them only interfere if kids are in danger. Without looking at the Facebook, they know college kids are drinking. I think parents on this board are in denial. When we were in college drinking age was 18, now we think it’s outrageous that kids are drinking at that age? Kids do binge drinking because it is illegal. </p>
<p>I know my daughter drinks a few beer (maybe more, I can’t confirm) when she goes to parties. I am fine with it as long as she makes it back to her room, could live with herself the next day, does not require me to bail her out in the middle of the night, and DO NOT drink and drive.</p>
<p>Oldfort: I totally agree with you…When the drinking age was 18 nobody cared about drinking…This whole binge drinking issue started since the drinking age was raised to 21…Nevertheless, very stupid to post pictures on Facebook of an illegal action…The news the last few days has made it crystally clear that Facebook is not private and probably never will be…Hopefully my kids have listened to my preaching about that, although I’m not sure…</p>
<p>A significant percentage of college students at the typical state university are of legal drinking age. Most college students turn 21 sometime during their junior year. Institutions having a sizeable transfer population and 4.5 year programs, coupled with masters programs, could have up to 50% students who are 21 and over. It’s pretty unrealistic to be shocked at drinking under those conditions. As for the youngsters, they are in a precarious position- the forbidden fruit is constantly under their noses. Having underage students in an environment where they are constantly exposed to social drinking and then expecting them to not succomb to temptation at least once is naive. I’m not denying that there is a small, population of people that never touched a drop of alcohol before the age of 21, but let’s get real. Most of these kids have attended a party with big plastic cups… are there really many parents on CC that believe theirs have never let their lips touch a brew?</p>
<p>But as far as greeks and other organizations… they are held to a higher standard because they are affiliated with the university. They should not be publicizing underage drinking (or drinking at all… it’s just crass), or anything else that reflects poorly upon themselves or the university.</p>
<p>oldfort, when I was in college drinking at 18 was legal. Drinking among my peers was going to a club, paying a cover charge that included one or two drinks. They were sipped over the course of an evening. Now, drinking is binging, and students drink right from bottles, and there are drinking games that I never heard of when I was in school. I think that many students are in danger from the amount of alcohol consumption. Students spend weekends blacked out, and vomiting, and this seems to occur on many campuses. Maybe this existed, but I never saw any of that when I was in college.</p>
<p>northeastmom,
I do remember drinking games during college. However, they were not allowed in the bars. I worked behind a bar, and we would have to regularly walk over to tables and ask them to stop with the quarters. </p>
<p>It’s just like poker- you’re not allowed to play nickel ante card games (or any games of that nature) in a public establishment.</p>
<p>doubleplay, Interesting. Maybe you are younger than I am 
I went to a school in a urban area, and I don’t know if that made any difference at that time.</p>