When the Duke University Union's Oktoberfest celebration kicks off on Oct. 17, it will provide students with two important opportunities: a chance to take a break from studying, and the chance to show the administration that the student body can maturely incorporate alcohol into on-campus social events. If students can conduct themselves responsibly around alcohol at a small-scale event like Oktoberfest, it could pave the way for larger and more frequent campus-wide social events in which alcohol plays a role.
Oktoberfest has undergone a face-lift under the Union's new leadership. Union officials succeeded in petitioning Director of Dining Services Jim Wulforst to allow University vendors to sell beer between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.. Beer sales will add to the authenticity of the festival, and will be likely to draw a larger crowd to the event. In addition, the event will take more care to emphasize aspects of German culture. The Union should be applauded for enacting these alterations, which will make Oktoberfest the type of well-rounded social event event that students have been calling for.
During a time when social life at Duke is constantly shifting and the role of party culture being challenged, campus-wide events like Oktoberfest must emerge to pick up the slack. If events sponsored by campus organizations, groups and governing councils are to be successful and draw large numbers of individuals, they must find a way to incorporate alcohol to some degree. Though beer will only be served for two hours, both the University and the Union have presented students with the opportunity to prove that alcohol can be a workable component of social culture. It is now up to the students to respond by exercising good judgment, and having a good time. Where alcohol is concerned, we must move ahead one step at a time, building a relationship of mutual trust.
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