According to the Alcohol Policy at USI, “the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, transportation, possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage anywhere on university owned or -controlled property is prohibited by the university.” 

While I understand minors should not be drinking, I think the university should allow drinking on campus. 

I will be 21 this fall, and I will not be living on campus because I cannot drink in my own apartment though I will be of age. 

My parents asked me where I would live next year and, quite frankly, I do not mind living on campus. But I can’t drink.

No, I’m not an alcoholic nor do I plan on being one, but as most people know, when people turns 21, they drink. 

Someone told me that she doesn’t think it should matter because most people go out to bars and do not drink alone.

Yes, I guess that’s true. 

I grew up in a home where my parents drank a beer late at night before bed. I do not think anything is wrong with that. I think that’s something I would do as well. I think I would still go out, but most of my friends are younger, so I won’t be able to go out with them for a while. 

I really do understand the university is trying to protect students. If a 21-year-old student has alcohol on campus, his/her roommate might not be 21. And there could be a chance the roommate takes it without permission. 

Alcohol is expensive. If I bought alcohol, my roomie better keep her paws off. That stuff is expensive and mine. 

I think it would be ironic if I got in trouble on campus for drinking, not because I was underaged, but because it was on campus.

The university is, also, losing money. People get older each year, and each year people move off. Not everyone who moves off campus do it because they can’t have alcohol on campus, but I am willing to bet some do move because of it.

Turning 21 is a big deal. It’s a privilege to drink. I think the university should just think about this.