The Queen’s Law Students’ Society (LSS) published a letter opposing changes to the campus alcohol policy on Oct. 7, calling the revisions “paternal” and unsafe.
The campus alcohol policy, currently posted online for community feedback, was last updated seven years ago. In its proposed state, the policy seeks to place restrictions on the consumption of shots at campus pubs and place limitations on alcohol consumption during Orientation week events.
Addressed to the Alcohol Policy subcommittee, the letter was signed by Colette Koopman, LSS president, Adam Godlewski, vice-president (Academic), Ronak Patel, vice-president (Administration), Darian Baskatawang, vice-president (Communications), Courtney Edwards, vice-president (Activities), and Luke Sabourin, vice-president (Finance).
Primarily, the letter opposed alcohol restrictions to Orientation week events.
“Completely banning alcohol at professional student orientation events will inevitably lead people to skip events or plan their own side events in less-safe spaces,” the letter read. “This goes directly against the sense of community that Queen’s, our Law School, and the LSS are trying to foster during Orientation Week.”
According to the letter, LSS clubs also host weekly networking events that could involve alcohol consumption. The LSS said the policy’s current language makes it uncertain whether networking events would also be placed under any restrictions.
“That uncertainty needs to be clarified,” the letter read.
The Society also pointed out the age difference between undergraduate and graduate students.
“Although well-intentioned, this paternal policy treats mature students, [who] have graduated from their undergraduate degrees and are now pursuing a graduate or professional studies, as children and will not improve safety on campus.”
Alternatively, the LSS wrote that if the Alcohol Policy Subcommittee neglect to take its submission seriously, it asked that the University provide exemptions within the policy to any student governments that already have strong policies in place.
The commenting period for the policy’s current draft is set to close on Oct. 8 at 4 p.m.
Tags
Alcohol policy, Law Student Society
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