Lindenwood creates campus alcohol policy pilot program
By Alexis Montgomery, Editor in Chief
February 15, 2021
MISSOURI – Students who are 21 and live in the Linden Terrace may now possess approved amounts of alcohol in their residences.
Students were informed on Monday afternoon that students of the legal drinking age may apply for the pilot program for the Spring 2021 semester.
“Our goal is to enhance the campus experience for our upper-class students while keeping all students and campus safe,” Terry Whittum, senior vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Engagement said in the email. “This program is limited to the Spring 2021 semester.
“Eligible students who wish to participate must apply and agree to the terms of the policy.”
In the pilot program, students may possess up to one of the following: 72 fluid ounces of beer, 750 milliliters of wine, or 750 milliliters of liquor.
Those who apply must provide a valid photo identification for proof of age when requested by residential life, Public Safety, or law enforcement.
The email also stated that any student under the age of 21 is prohibited from being in the presence of alcohol while on campus. If a student is under the age of 21 and in a space where alcohol is present, all students present are in violation of the student code of conduct, regardless of age.
Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted in public areas, which include sidewalks, driveways, and porches. The policy also stated that “drinking games” are not allowed.
Depending on how the pilot program goes, Lindenwood will either adopt or eliminate the new rule.
“At the conclusion of the Spring 2021 semester, Student Life will prepare a report and make a recommendation to the Cabinet,” the email said. “Based on the Spring 2021 pilot program results, the recommendation will be to continue, modify, or eliminate this program.
“We are eager to pursue this pilot program and ask everyone’s cooperation in testing this policy.”
Nick Heine, a junior who lives at the Linden Terrace, thinks the new rule will take pressure off all the student athletes who have to worry about alcohol violations.
“I also think it just makes sense considering most of the students living in the houses are 21 or older anyway,” Heine said. “I think it would be something I could see myself applying for.”
Blake Knight, a senior who lives at the Linden Terrace and has already applied for the pilot program, said everyone is excited about the new program since it will give students the opportunity to drink in their homes instead of having to go out.
“Everyone’s excited because whenever the weather’s bad outside and stuff we don’t have to go out to Main and do our own little thing,” Knight said. “We can just stay chill and drink in the house and not have to worry about who’s gonna be our DD or if we need an Uber or anything.”
Knight said he thinks a lot of people will apply for the pilot program because they want a real college experience, since most schools have a wet campus.
“It’ll be better for the college experience because they don’t have to worry about getting in trouble with public safety about alcohol,” Knight said. “I think they’ll just feel better about being safer and not having any consequences.”
Knight said he thinks Lindenwood will see less alcohol violations as a result of the program.
John Stewart, a senior who is Knight’s roommate, thinks the pilot program will lower the risk of students contracting COVID-19.
“A lot of students aren’t trying to go out, because it’s just a risk and a liability to go out and then risk getting coronavirus just for a night out,” Stewart said. “It’s a much better and safer alternative for a lot of students to be able to have their nice little weekend and drink at their house because then there is no risk, especially with students on sports teams who risk spreading it greatly.”
Stewart said that a lot of people will likely sign up for the program since this is something students have wanted for a while.
“Basically, this whole thing in the first place is just Lindenwood addressing something that needed to be addressed,” Stewart said. “This has needed to be addressed for a long time, like all the seniors and stuff from my freshman year are like ‘what, they’re just not doing this that’s crazy’ like they’re really happy to hear they’re doing it.”
Stewart said he thinks Lindenwood will see how the program goes and keep making steps towards a completely wet campus.