WTVM.com and WTVM News Leader 9, Columbus, GA | AU policy informs parents of underage drinking

AU policy informs parents of underage drinking

September 18, 2008

AUBURN, Ala. (WTVM) - Auburn University's new drinking policy is being heavily enforced, one month after it was put in place. Any student caught drinking underage has been forced to face the consequences on campus and at home. For many college students drinking offenses aren't anything to write home about, but Auburn University thinks otherwise.

The college has notified parents of at least 22 students that their children were caught drinking underage. "Of that 22 that we sent out, I talked to 5 of those parents, they've been very positive, thanking me for the letters. They wanted to double check what the circumstances were," Jim Hardin, Office of the Dean of Students said.

Hardin says most of the offenses take place at Auburn Football games, where underage students try sneaking alcohol into the game. "The fact that these students aren't even of legal drinking age and their using all these ridiculous tactics such as things that look like I.V. bags full of whiskey and vodka, like bringing them in cowboy boots and stuff, its just beyond ridiculous. Students need to learn to be responsible with alcohol," Zack Thorton, an Auburn junior said.

While some students are grateful for the policy not all are as optimistic. "Well, I think as a means to keep people from drinking, its going to be a little bit ineffective because I think that most parents probably assume that if their child's in college, their going to be drinking," Elliot Broder, an Auburn sophomore said.

Hardin says some of the offenders are angry that their parents were notified, but added the policy is in the best interest of the student. "We don't want parents to be the last to know that there have been a series of alcohol incidents, and that their son or daughter may need to get into alcohol rehab," Hardin said.