Universities across Canada have rolled out a host of new policies designed to combat irresponsible drinking practices.
At some universities, such as the University of Alberta, Queen’s University and the University of Guelph, administrations have banned drinking in public portions of residence. The University of Acadia has adopted a more radical policy, which includes urging local bar owners to be more careful about how much they serve students, and sending letters to parents about having “safe drinking” talks with incoming frosh. The policy also authorizes residence advisers to check for alcohol inside dorm rooms during frosh week, and calls for training student volunteers to help their peers drink responsibly.
In Ontario, concerns about unsafe drinking practices, especially during frosh week, stem mainly from most first-year students being 18 — a year below the legal drinking age. Student unions suggest that preventing students who are of age from drinking in residences may just drive them to off-campus bars or other potentially unsafe situations.
With files from The Globe and Mail
