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Drinking at Washington and Lee
Is there a problem?

By Elliott Walker

Washington and Lee students are often noted for their excellence in academics, community service and commitment to honor. They also receive attention for their drinking habits.

According to alcohol studies the school does each year, over 60 percent of W&L students are classified as binge drinkers. Binge drinking is defined as consuming more than five drinks per occasion.

W&L students also experience memory loss known as black-outs at twice the national average and do something they later regret at a higher rate than other schools. Students at W&L do drink and drive less than the national average.

Dr. Jane Horton, university physician, said that the high drinking rates are partly a result of the type of student that comes to W&L.

"[Students] want to come to a school with a strong Greek system and a social life that revolves around alcohol being served at parties."

Photo by Elliott Walker Junior Sarah Tilbor agreed, saying “I think this school is very into work hard play hard, and people are working, working working working seven days a week...but when they go out at night they're going to go out just as hard as they worked all day."

The student health center takes care of a number of students who have abused either alcohol or other drugs during the school year. In the 2005-2006 school year, 151 students visited the health center. Of these, 79 were admitted to the health center overnight, 57 went to the emergency room and three were admitted to the hospital. Photo by Elliott Walker

What is the University doing about the issue?

The University has several measures in place to try to help the alcohol problem at W&L. Traveller, the sober ride system at the school, is designed to help decrease the incidents of students drinking and driving.

Dean of students Dean Watkins said the school is "doing a really good job on education" when it comes to alcohol. Resources such as L.I.F.E., Lifestyle Information for Everyone, are available for students for education. L.I.F.E. is composed of a team of students that educate their peers about issues such as alcohol, depression and sexual assault. Each freshman hall is assigned a L.I.F.E. team member at the beginning of the school year.

Each freshman is also required to complete an online alcohol education program before coming to school called 'Alcohol Edu.'

There is also a punishment system for students who are caught drinking on campus known as the strike system. If students are caught drinking, they are issued a strike and have to undergo counseling and pay a fine. Students who are caught a second time within a year they can be suspended for up to a year in addition to the fine and counseling. The third strike means a student could be dismissed from the University.

Fraternity houses have also tried to make drinking underage a bit more difficult. Students must now get wristbands at a party in order to get beer or liquor at a fraternity party. Drinking games have also been outlawed in fraternity houses.

Binge drinking has decreased at Washington and Lee. In 1997, the binge drinking rate was 75 percent. It is apparent that W&L students are making strides with this problem, but many say there is much room to improve.

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