What's Jersey Sayin': Party Ban at Rutgers University. Dir. NJ.com. Perf. Janelle Griffith. Youtube.com. NJ.com, 07 Apr. 2015. Web. 21 Apr. 2015
Brianna Leuzzi
English 1101
Professor Young
Essay: 3
The
effect of opinions
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| Figure 1. Binge Drinking. Binge Drinking. Digital image. Pixgood.com. Google.com, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. |
“About four out of five college students drink alcohol.
About half of college students who drink, also consume alcohol through binge
drinking” (NIAAA). College students who drink excessively create problems for
themselves and others. A recent increase in drinking problems at Rutgers
University led to a campus wide ban on all fraternity and sorority parties.
These sorority and fraternity parties, where heavy alcohol consumption is
present, include many students of the University that attend. Specifically,
these students, both Greek life members and not, are the ones directly affected
by the Rutgers Ban. Therefore, how are students reacting to the Rutgers Ban and
how do the students think the problem should be solved?
Overall, some students believe the ban is an extreme
action taken by the University. These same students think that the ban is
pointless. For example, student sophomore Shourie Jonna explains, “The ban is
unnecessary and it is not a solution to the problems of the parties that get
out of hand. It’s kind of an ineffective tactic to do it anyway” (Jonna). He
believes that the Rutgers Ban is not doing anyone good or solving any of the
concerning issues. In other words, it’s a waste of time. Thus, His feelings
toward this ban are negative due to the unresolved conflicts. Instead, he
suggests the University should take an alternate approach. His solution is as
follows, “I feel like it’s putting a Band- Aid on a gushing wound. The school
instead should hold more educational programs on the dangers of binge drinking”
(Jonna). Shourie believes that binge drinking is the main problem and should be
addressed. Instead of the school taking away drinking privileges for everyone,
Rutgers should educate the students on proper consumption to prevent incidents
from happening. Overall, there is a negative reaction to the Rutgers ban and a
belief that a better solution can solve the ongoing drinking problem.
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| Figure 2. Thumbs Down. Thumbs Down. Digital image. Clipartbest.com. Google.com, n.d.Web. 21 Apr. 2015. |
Additionally, more students agree that the choice of
Rutgers University to ban all parties was a poor decision. Rutgers cannot
prevent wild parties and drinking related problems in the future by issuing a
ban. For instance, a 21 year old junior, Magda Purchla, argues, “I’m not sure
if a temporary ban would be effective in stopping out- of- control parties. The
issue could easily arise again next year” (Purchla). Rutgers University is not
thinking of long term solutions to the problem, its only concern is fixing the
problem right now. Rather, the University should look at the big picture. A ban
is no solution to the underlying problem; it’s like trying to fix a car but not
knowing what is wrong with it. How can the car be fixed without addressing the
problem of the car first? The same goes for the ban, the school is trying to
solve party problems without addressing the underlying problem, drinking.
Purchla agrees that Rutgers should find a different approach to the problem.
She states, “It might be helpful
to educate Greek organizations about preventing serious incidents and helping
students act more responsibly at parties” (Purchla). Magda initiates an active
plan for students to follow in order to take preventative measures in the
future. All in all, another negative reaction and a better solution is provided
for the Rutgers Ban problem.
Although, some students
believe that the ban is beneficial and can improve fraternity and sorority
problems. Some students consider the ban a great way to improve authority throughout
the University. For example, junior Phinehas Lezuabah explains, “The ban is a
great way for students to take serious the liabilities issues that parties can
create” (Lezuabah). He is saying that the ban will make the hosts of the party
more aware of the consequences they might face when throwing these parties. Therefore,
people such as Lezuabah believe the ban is beneficial to the University. A
solution can be reached with the ban because more people are aware of the
consequences. Phinehas agrees when he states, “Recent alcohol-related incidents
were preventable, but people just didn’t pay attention” (Lezuabah). In this
case, because light was shed on the problem, more people are going to pay
attention and try to avoid the issues from occurring again. Therefore, the ban
will solve the problem because students will want to prevent another ban from
happening again.
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| Figure 3. No Parties Allowed. Ban on Parties. Digital image. Playbuzz.com. Google.com, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. |
All in all, the reactions
to the Rutgers Ban are mixed between believing it is beneficial and a waste of
time. Solutions across the board also differ as students feel differently about
the situation. So, is the Rutgers ban really effective for everyone? The
underlying of binge drinking needs to be addressed. All college students should
be aware of what they are drinking and how much they are drinking to keep
himself or herself safe. Saftey during these years are becoming a huge issue
because many students don’t realize how intoxicated they are.
Works Cited
College Drinking." College Drinking. National Institute of
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, n.d.
Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
South, Todd, and Mary Diduch. "Rutgers Bans Fraternity, Sorority
Parties through End of
Semester." NorthJersey.com.
North Jersey, 06 Apr. 2015. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
