As a 1991 graduate here for a visit, I can hardly express the extent of my dismay at seeing the headline to the Sept. 5 article, "Violations Mar First Weekend." Violations? Mar? What prep school is this, and what have you done with Duke?
It was only a few short years ago that the weekend before Fall classes was the best party weekend at the University. The end of a summer away from friends, great weather and no responsibility combined to energize us at the start of a new school year. I agree that at times the celebrations were excessive and that we should not encourage alcohol-abusive behavior-particularly amongst our newest students-but what passed for excitement the weekend before classes was a mere shadow of the past.
Alcohol is a fact of life in our society, and as a legal and generally available (though restricted) drug, it should be treated as such. Part of a student's education at the University should be in the proper social use of alcohol, not in the failed "Just Say No" mindlessness of presidential pandering to self-righteous hypocrites. If students can't learn how to drink responsibly in the relatively safe atmosphere of their University, they will learn how to drink irresponsibly in dorm rooms, Chapel Hill bars or somewhere else where it is even more unsafe.
University students and the administration: Have some fun, please! It is no wonder to any who knew the "old" Duke why so many young alumni feel such disaffection for their alma mater outside of its athletic department.
Michael Weiner
Trinity '91
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