In addition to the typical math, science and English curriculum, students taking the next step in their educations at OU will be schooled in the university’s strict alcohol policy.
OU has been a “dry campus” since Spring 2005. Alcohol is banned in all fraternities, sororities and residence halls, and restricted to Friday and Saturday nights for events sponsored by campus-affiliated student organizations.
The alcohol ban came after Blake Hammontree, a 19-year-old freshman from Enid, died after a Sigma Chi fraternity party Sept. 29, 2004. His blood-alcohol level was 0.42 — five times the legal limit.
The alcohol policy has been successful in educating all students and organizations about responsible drinking and promoting a healthy lifestyle at OU, said OU spokesman Chris Shilling.
“With a few exceptions, we have received very positive responses from the student body, faculty and staff,” Shilling said.
The alcohol policy was written not as a deterrent to the university but to support its overall mission safely, he said. Alcohol education is mandatory for all incoming graduates age 22 and under and all students joining fraternities and sororities.
“OU offers many things that enrich the student experience,” Shilling said. “Students come here from all over to receive a great education in order to prepare to achieve their life goals.”
Taking the initiative to reinforce the value of the educational experience, in conjunction with all the other things that make OU great, will help to encourage prospective students to call this place home, he said.
The public also has been strongly supportive on the alcohol policy, having received honors from the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center as a “Success Story” for the university’s efforts and commitment to curb underage drinking, Shilling said.
The SafeRide program (325-RIDE) has become increasingly popular since its inception in 2004 — giving nearly 7,000 rides annually — to both encourage responsible drinking and safely transport OU students in the Norman area, he said.
Julie Odom, University College freshman, said she is fine with OU’s alcohol policy. Deciding not to go to OU simply because of its dry campus would reflect poorly on s student, she said.
“I think I would stick to what majors they have and different classes,” Odom said.
University College freshman James Cole said he also supports the alcohol policy on campus. He predicts that even after he turns 21, he still will support the alcohol policy.
“I mean if you’re mature enough, you can take it,” Cole said. “You have to know when to stop.”
Chase Hennion, engineering physics sophomore, said students will most likely drink despite the strong alcohol policy because they are in college, away from parents and the restrictions they had at home.
“So I think it’s good to have a strong alcohol policy to protect people from overindulging in alcohol,” Hennion said.
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TheJR 1 year, 9 months ago
I'm curious to see the Norman DUI statistics compared to before and after the policy.