Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta's recent e-mail about Tailgate yet again demonstrates an increasing flaw in this administration's attitude towards Duke partying. His plan to close the gates until two hours prior to gametime illustrates naivete and wishful thinking. Instead of curbing partying, it only increases the danger of drunk driving or binge drinking.
The majority of students are going to begin their drinking festivities at the same time as usual, it's only a matter of whether they have their first drink at off-campus fraternity houses or within walking distance of the game. Moneta's e-mail reflects an increasing pattern of forcing Duke partying off-campus. While it may help absolve the school of future liability and legal consequences, it only sends the party to another location where supervision, safety and security are shaky at best. Last year, while tailgate may have been a rowdy event, it didn't force intoxicated students to choose between taking cabs and driving themselves to the Blue Zone.
Dr. Moneta, if you are serious about wanting to protect students' safety and not just the school's reputation, keep the parties on campus and off of the road.
Brent Beckert
Trinity '10
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.