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Show August 1. 2000 Near Utah campuses, legal drinking requires planning Orientation Issue The Signpost- Page 12 By Preston McConkie editorials page editor The Signpost A long time ago in a land far, far away Laws regulating beer sales are among the oldest-known regulations in history. Any history text worth its anecdotes will probably note that the Code of Hammurabai, which harks back to 1780 B.C. (before the Ten Commandments, even) prescribed the death penalty for tavern owners who diluted their drinks. They were to be drowned in the Euphrates river poetic justice for those who watered down beer. A long time later, right here The United States, and Utah particularly, has a different approach to drinking laws. To be sure, people still take drinking seriously, and it's still a matter of life and death, but in the days since Babylonian drunks might at worst drown themselves by falling off a dyke in a state of WWI (walking while intoxicated), in our time drunks can easily kill a whole family while DWI (driving while intoxicated).For that and other reasons, the object of drinking laws has become almost entirely one sided: to limit access to alcohol, and punish its misuse. Even though no law appears to make it specifically illegal to consume alcohol on Utah campuses, make no mistake about it even drinkers over 21 may risk fines and jail time if they consume alcohol at Weber State University. While colleges and universities across the United States tighten their drinking policies and try to lessen the beer culture associated with campus life, Utah finds itself ahead of the trend by having uniformly dry campuses. It has always been thus in Utah. Exceptions can be made, such as when the Bolslioi Ballet, a world- famous Russian dance group, performed at the Browning Fine Arts Center earlier this year, when fine wines were made available to performers and guests at a reception afterward. The law and the profits The rest of the time, campuses are as dry as the drought-ravaged sagebrush in the hills. While state law does not specify no drinking, state criminal code 76-8-704 makes it a class C misdemeanor ' to violate school policies once informed of them, if the offender refuses to desist or leave. Class C misdemeanors are punishable by up to a $750 fine and 90 days in jail. The WSU Police Department enforces DUI and underage drinking laws, as well. WSU police officers are state-certified, which gives them the same power as highway patrol officers. They are able to make arrests and issue citations for crimes committed both on an off campus. Unlawful purchase, possession or consumption of alcohol by See Drinking page 24 $5 Admission in the Wildcat Theater i vn September 15 6:00 p.m. i & Md JU ft mi bi mrmm September 13- 146:00 p.m. Bring a coupon for 12 off admission lAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA The First Year Program needs you to be a PEER IIENTORI This is how first-year students are feeling: "How will I make friends - I'm brand new on campus and don't know anyone!" "I need to figure out what to major in - and I don't have a clue!" "I wish I knew more about the campus and how to get invovled!" Make a difference! Become a PEER MENTOR Fall Semester 2000. Receive 2 upper division credits in Educ 3170. Build your resume with a leadership role. Get the chance for a one semester tuition waiver. Share your experience as a student. Meet great faculty and other PEER MENTORS Come by and apply at the First Year Experience office, Student Service Center, Room 219 Or call us for more information at 626-6081 |