It's been a little less than two years since I graduated from AU. Regrettably, JAMS/Public Safety still can't get seem to get it right. I couldn't help but notice that one ''Officer McNair" was giving a lecture about how AU is a dry campus in the interests of preventing alcohol-related deaths. As is evident, I clearly have too much free time on my hands (with the global economic crisis taking its toll on my work) - because one mouse-click later I found myself in ''police blotter'' section. Low and behold, I counted at least six to seven cases of students requiring medical assistance due to one too many Bacardi shots. (In most cases, I bet these students just needed a carb-rich snack, PowerAid and some shut-eye). Prohibition does NOT work.
I can remember how easy it was to smuggle a few bottles of Red Stripe or Jack Daniels into the dorms - and the occasional JAMS sessions/debacles that followed (sorry, waste of time). Am I proud of this 'accomplishment'? Absolutely not. But I think it is safe to say that most would agree that having permission to enjoy a drink or two with friends in the dorm is not an unreasonable request. Perhaps I would be cynical if I think that the AU judicial system does not have its priorities straight - save for the handsome revenues generated by compulsory JAMS sessions. It would be prudent to at least raise an eyebrow. Maybe JAMS should teach students how to drink a bit more sensibly (perish the thought!). In college, a lot of people drink. GET OVER IT! The intentions of having dry-campus may be good, but it just doesn't work! Setting that aside, I wish the new generation at AU best of luck and a promising future.
Ali-Hassan Ayub 2007 graduate, Kogod School of Business
