<p>dukewis–my s graduated from W&L and I am deeply saddened at this loss of life. Your post brought me to tears imagining the impact this has had on so many peoples’ lives. I will pray for all involved as you implored. I will also hope this opens a new dialogue about these critical issues. </p>
<p>In my view the honor code must be changed to address and include underage drinking and drinking and driving. These are clearly issues of “trust” and character and to say otherwise demonstrates a buying into the culture of alcohol infused social events and is a denial of the impact of these actions. I was shocked when I heard through the years about the level of binge drinking that went on, 12-14 drinks at a party was not unusual. </p>
<p>Beer pong was an activity at parent weekends?? In fact I have observed on more than one parent weekend the heavy drinking by parents, in one instance I was so concerned that I quietly offered a parent a ride so that he would not get in his car and he refused and acted as if I had offended him. This is yet another aspect of the cultural system that reinforces the “normalcy” of heavy and binge drinking and refuses to take responsibility for the modeling it presents to students.</p>