THE UNOFFICIAL motto of the University is "work hard, play hard." Although not all students drink, and certainly not all students drink excessively, it is no surprise that "play hard" has translated into the drinking culture that pervades much of the University. Social drinking is not likely to fade anytime soon. However, it is sad that alcohol has infiltrated the University so deeply that it plays a significant role in the community's social events.
University students are known for their extra-curricular involvement and community service. The vast majority of these efforts are to be applauded. There are, however, a number of philanthropic events which do so through less than praiseworthy means. A number of fundraising events sponsored by groups affiliated with the University directly or traditionally involve alcohol.
Various Greek organizations sponsor events which involve alcohol. The Greek system certainly is not responsible for the amount of drinking at U.Va. It is a simple fact that drinking is prevalent on most college campuses. At the University, tailgating and traditions such as Foxfield, as well as the popular Corner bars, provide ample opportunity for social drinking situations even without the presence of fraternity parties.
By involving alcohol in service endeavors, the Greek system perpetuates the image that it is all about alcohol. This is an image that many fraternities, and especially sororities, recently have tried to combat. Sorority sponsored charity events such as Hoodang, Grease and Grass, Hoos N' Sync and the recent Athlete Date Auction undermine the responsible image sororities are trying to create. Even though sororities wish to uphold this image, many of these events are held either in bars or have alcohol available.
Greek organizations are not the only ones to use alcohol in community service. Their use of alcohol is less severe because it is not directly promoted, nor is it the central attraction. Various groups, most recently the sponsors of AIDS Awareness Week, sponsor bar nights.
The goal of these nights is to encourage students to patronize a certain bar on a certain night, with proceeds going to the sponsor's cause. Although AIDS awareness and research is a worthwhile cause in need of funding, bar night is a questionable fundraising event - especially considering the connection between alcohol, unsafe sex and sexually transmitted diseases.
While drinking may be socially acceptable for all U.Va. students, it still is illegal for those who are underage. It's generous of local bars to help sponsor bar night fundraisers, and if all of the patrons were 21, they could be a good way to raise money. However, not all patrons are of legal drinking age, nor are the events scheduled or promoted to encourage legal and responsible drinking.
The most recent bar night took place on a Tuesday night. Although a number of students frequent bars during the week, University-affiliated groups should not encourage drunkenness at all, let alone mid-week drunkenness.
Furthermore, the event was heavily advertised in first-year residence areas, where the overwhelming majority of the residents are under 21. It is blatantly irresponsible for the AIDS awareness group to encourage them to come out for "$2 cups and $1 drafts."
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Raising money for charity is a noble pursuit. However, this is not sufficient justification for promoting irresponsible and at times illegal behavior. Many groups on Grounds use another of the University's passions, exercise, to raise money through 5Ks or sports tournaments. Others use food - effective since most college students are eager to avoid the dining halls. These are both legitimate and effective ways to raise money. Alcohol will always be a presence at U.Va. But the University, and its public image, would be better off if community service did not encourage drinking.
(Megan Moyer's column appears Friday in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at mmoyer@cavalierdaily.com.)
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