For an inspired number of today’s youth, transitioning from high school into some institution of higher learning, such as a college or university, falls among the more profound turning points in their lives; more likely than not, to an extent that has been otherwise unprecedented before now. Regardless of individual circumstances, the fact still stands that college can be a major status quo change for many, if not all incoming students, and with drastically new experiences like these comes a variety of differing emotions felt across the spectrum. This is usually the first instance in which students must have to take charge of themselves in a more direct, forward sense; not only when dealing with the heightening of academic expectations, but
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Colleen Hopkins’ article “Drinking Age a Shaky 18” frames the “top issue” of drinking age as on a sort of precipice, whereas the yearbook photos depicting Saint Michael’s P-Day festivities from those times basically shows the extent to which things had gotten, solidifying these alcohol-induced inclinations towards serious debauchery as requiring change to stave off more serious consequences. Indeed, the letters speaking out towards initiative and policy review, from the Student Life and Office(s) of the President, were following “four students died here at St. Michaels’ due to alcohol-related causes (in the past year). This would appear to provoke realizations amongst the correct administrative bodies that no measured strictness of law effectively stops those students who are already planning on acquiring and overindulging in alcohol in the first place. Instead, the sounder call is to make and enforce an environment of socially-based change; if students can get awareness and perspective, without feeling condescended or talked down to, this could create a little pull, resulting in a more stable environment in due course. Things are far from perfect, of course, and incidents will be predisposed to take place so long as alcohol has a presence on college campuses, but Saint Michael’s as it is today is pretty demonstrative that these changes beheld at least some effect; parties have rather become geared around small groups of people, usually friends, capable of having a good time while still looking out for each other, reinforcing bonds of our small community. In the end, there is a balance for us to achieve if some amount of reason will
Colleen Hopkins’ article “Drinking Age a Shaky 18” frames the “top issue” of drinking age as on a sort of precipice, whereas the yearbook photos depicting Saint Michael’s P-Day festivities from those times basically shows the extent to which things had gotten, solidifying these alcohol-induced inclinations towards serious debauchery as requiring change to stave off more serious consequences. Indeed, the letters speaking out towards initiative and policy review, from the Student Life and Office(s) of the President, were following “four students died here at St. Michaels’ due to alcohol-related causes (in the past year). This would appear to provoke realizations amongst the correct administrative bodies that no measured strictness of law effectively stops those students who are already planning on acquiring and overindulging in alcohol in the first place. Instead, the sounder call is to make and enforce an environment of socially-based change; if students can get awareness and perspective, without feeling condescended or talked down to, this could create a little pull, resulting in a more stable environment in due course. Things are far from perfect, of course, and incidents will be predisposed to take place so long as alcohol has a presence on college campuses, but Saint Michael’s as it is today is pretty demonstrative that these changes beheld at least some effect; parties have rather become geared around small groups of people, usually friends, capable of having a good time while still looking out for each other, reinforcing bonds of our small community. In the end, there is a balance for us to achieve if some amount of reason will