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About time for a change
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About a week ago, the University of Arizona celebrated one of its oldest traditions: Homecoming. While I've never been able to figure out exactly what the point of Homecoming is, I have figured out this much -it has a little bit to do with football, school spirit and Wilbur the Wildcat. But it also has a lot to do with the greek system, alumni and money. Every year about this time, Arizona's alumni come back to relive their glory, watch a parade and attend a football game. If all goes well, the Wildcats win and they have a swell time reminiscing about the glory days. They then in turn donate money to the school when the appropriate phone call or letter arrives. A perfectly executed system where one trades memories for dollars. But last Saturday's fun was not limited to alumni. Students could take part, too. That is, of course, provided that you're greek. If you are, the west side of the UA Mall is the place for you, with its greek-sponsored barbecue. In each tent are a few dozen clones laughing and having a grand old time. Non-greeks may pass through, although they'll probably feel as if they're drowning in a sea of Tommy Hilfiger, J. Crew and Bud Light. On Homecoming day, the Mall is essentially one big preppy kegger. For those of you who aren't Hellenically inclined, here's how it works. On the day of Homecoming, each frat or sorority has its own tent, which is stocked to the brim with food and drinks. Additionally, each tent has its own bar, full of booze purchased by the frat or sorority for any of its current or past members to enjoy. Provided that you can prove your membership by a secret handshake or chapter history quiz, you can have anything your little heart desires, free of charge. But here's the catch. The bars are supposed to be run by a third-party company that obeys state drinking laws. They're supposed to check IDs. However, the third-party is a bit too laid back, and lets the rules slide a bit too often. If you know the bartender you get anything you want. Sometimes members of the frat or sorority end up tending bar by day's end. The result is a swarm of drunken greeks who look and act underage walking around with booze in their hand. Although it is blatantly illegal, nobody does a damn thing about it. Surely, we can't blame the greeks for this behavior. Their entire lives circulate around expensive clothes and cheap beer. They don't know any better. But the university does. It hypocritically turns its cheek each and every Homecoming weekend. According to the Official Code of Conduct's entry for alcohol policy, it is required that "students abide by state law and university regulations." Last time I checked, the drinking age in Arizona was still 21. In the wake of a growing number of alcohol-related deaths and lawsuits across the nation's college campuses, it's time for the University of Arizona to take a stand. By blatantly allowing underage drinking in broad daylight, at the center of campus, on one of the biggest weekends of the year, the university is sending mixed messages. Officially, it condemns underage drinking. But when it coincides with a high-profile event, it shies away from policy. Certainly, it wouldn't look good for the TV cameras and alumni if police were patrolling the area, arresting drunken frat boys. The university and the greek system have a relationship analogous to that of parents and children. In private, the parents will scold their child for breaking the rules. But when company comes over, the child knowingly disobeys his parents. Not wanting to make a scene in front of their guests, the parents turn the other cheek. Perhaps it will take a Homecoming-day, alcohol-related car accident to make the university enforce the rules. Perhaps a fatality. Perhaps a multimillion dollar lawsuit. Perhaps something as simple as a drunken frat boy puking on President Peter Likins' convertible in the parade. Regardless of the impetus, the solution is rather simple. If alcohol is to be served, it should be sold by a reputable and responsible party. Furthermore, assign a few police officers to walk around and randomly check IDs. You'd be surprised how much fear of a criminal record can do. As a state institution, the university has an obligation to enforce state laws, or at least make an effort to do so. Perhaps next Homecoming we'll see a change, in the name of safety and legality. Ryan Chirnomas is a molecular and cellular biology senior and can be reached via e-mail at Ryan.Chirnomas @wildcat.arizona.edu. His column, In Hasselhoff We Trust, appears every Monday.
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