OK to stay — dry at U.P.E.L.?

by DANIELLE CHRISTENSEN

kay, folks, let’s try this again. Last week’s article,

which was part one in the series on drinking policy on

campus, was somewhat chewed up, and thus sadly lack ing any sort of point. This week, we'll look at what was really intended to be said, as well as the promised words from the frosh. :

Wet/Dry events on the UPEI campus are a phenomena unique on PE Island. No other establishment is allowed to admit, under any conditions, non-legal people to an event where alcoholis being served. Inthe Barn here, the floor is split down the middle, with the wet people kept on one side of the fence, and the dry people on the other. In order for the Drys to socialize with the Wets, the Wets must leave the Wet side of the Barn, and their beverages if they are drinking.

This year, the number of Wet/Dry events that the Barn is required to hold (three) has been surpassed, and by all accounts these events have been successful.In the past, many underage people have felt alienated, and wet people have felt uncomfort- able attending Wet/Dry events. The Student Union has been trying to think of ways to alleviate this problem, while continu- ing to abide by liquor laws. ‘

So the question arises; How do the people who are the object of these policies feel about them? A fter all, the Student Union is, first and foremost, for the students, and its policies should logically reflect that. To find the answer to my question, I talked with a number of frosh, and this is what came out.

The general consensus is that the Student Union is doing the best that it can right now, but that the present way of doing things is less than ideal. Underage people are appreciative of the opportunity to participate in all aspects of university life, but feel that the physical barrier in the Barn is in many cases, a social barrier as well, making it harder to socialize with older students.

The good attendance at Wet/Dry events this year has improved the situation. Most frosh say that they would be extremely annoyed if they were unable to attend concerts on campus. They say that conditions are a little cramped, with space sometimes being allotted disproportionately to the number of people ina side. The biggest complaint, however, is the fact that there are not enough entertainment opportunities provided for the dry

people. If they want to drink, they have to go downstairs to the pop machine, and if they want to socialize, they have fewer places in which to do that.

There is an expanded effort being made to accommodate the

Student Union reps say they would welcome student input on ™ matter. 2