One in three college campuses in the United States are dry campuses. Utah Tech University is one of those schools.
Being a dry campus means that alcohol is not allowed on the college campus at all.
As stated in the university’s policies and procedures handbook: “All members of the campus community have a stake in ensuring that when alcohol is served, it is done responsibly. The use of alcohol in any campus facility is a risk management concern because of state statutes and personal safety; therefore, alcohol service will only be permitted in an environment where alcohol consumption is in moderation and where a majority of the attendees are of legal drinking age.”
This means that alcohol may be served on campus as long as it is in a secure environment, the person serving the drinks has a permit, and the students who are involved are over the legal age of 21 years old. The university will not provide the funds to purchase the alcohol that is served, except in those cases where it is approved and authorized.
For student events on campus, alcohol will not be allowed at all.
Chief of Police Ron Bridge said: “Utah Tech does not allow alcohol on campus even if the individual is of the drinking age. With that said, there are a few events on campus each year that offer wine, but these events do not allow students in any way.”
Studies say that if a college campus is a dry campus, students will be less likely to engage in drinking. Students from dry campuses are 30% less prone to episodic drinking.
Most of the universities in Utah are dry campuses. If students who are over 21 years old are caught engaging in drinking on campus, they are subject to discipline by the school. If students under 21 years old are caught drinking on campus, driving privileges can be revoked. For any students caught with alcohol at on-campus housing, those students could have the risk of being kicked out of the unit.
Bridge said he believes Utah Tech is meant to have a family feel, and the service of alcohol can take that feeling away.
Even with being a dry campus, Utah Tech has a reputation for being a party school, being third among the top party schools in Utah. Because of this, it can be harder for students to avoid breaking dry campus rules as the university has had nine alcohol offenses since the beginning of September.
Resident assistant Ellie Prestwich, a sophomore population health major from St. George, said: “We have procedures for this issue because it happens often, and we do rounds every night because of occurrences like this. We want everyone to be safe in on-campus housing, so please be considerate of everyone else living in the building.”
The RAs at Utah Tech’s on-campus housing have procedures that they have to follow in cases where there are drugs or alcohol found on campus.
Seth Gubler, director of housing and resident life, said: “I highly encourage students who have roommates that are drinking to have a direct conversation with them. Not in a disrespectful manner, but to say that ‘I live here too.'”
Gubler said students who are with a unit of roommates who are participating in on-campus drinking should speak with them and allow their thoughts to be heard. He wants students to know that if there is something they are worried about talking with their roommates about, he and others involved with on-campus housing are willing to help.
Utah Tech, like many schools, has students who like to have fun with or without the addition of alcohol. Students are encouraged to find ways to enjoy the college experience on campus, but as long as students are safe and responsible as well as respecting the guidelines of the university, the campus will continue to be a place that is enjoyable for staff, students and the surrounding community.
