New keg laws just the beginning

After reading about the new laws that require more identification from keg renters in order for police to be able to better track down those who provide beer to underage drinkers (“Liquor board to regulate kegs with new law,” July 17), I have realized this is just the tip of the iceberg. I could never understand why University Police – and I guess all college security forces for that matter – are taking on this mission to curb underage drinking. Do they really care that much if an 18-year-old gets drunk? I don’t think so, but when it comes to money, they do.

When an underage student is dangerously drunk and dies, who is ultimately responsible? The school. And how do they get retribution? Money, a lot of money. If people want colleges to become more lenient with underage drinking, parents have to make their children more responsible; let them make their own decisions and stop suing and blaming other people.

As long as parents blame other people or institutions for their kids’ problems, laws will just get stricter and stricter. Maybe one day, students will finally be able to do something, but that may be a long way from now. Enjoy college while you can. I am happy I’m a senior – freshmen will be lucky to put a beer to their mouths in the coming years.

Zachary Aronson

Senior

Finance

Allocate more funding

I read with concern your July 17 article (“Students shocked by night study cut”) detailing the funding challenges associated with the university’s libraries. It is truly unfortunate administrators are attempting to choose between what ultimately are two essential library offerings: the availability of quality academic journal subscriptions and student-friendly, late-night study opportunities.

When I was an undergraduate student, I worked in the McKeldin Library Periodicals Unit, so I know firsthand how expensive academic journal subscriptions can be. And even though they are expensive, these periodicals are essential for research, as they often contain the most timely information available within a wide array of academic disciplines. Periodicals are truly the best way to keep up in any academic field.

Thanks to my more recent experiences as a member of the Board of Trustees for my county library system, I also recognize the need for libraries to be readily accessible to the public, particularly for individual and group study activities. Wherever they may be located, libraries always occupy a prominent role in the communities they serve. Consequently, no one should be surprised to see that the University Libraries, as shown by the popularity of late-night study, are first-choice destinations on the campus.

Thus, it seems the only rational solution to consider is for library advocates to insist these valuable resources not have to compete with each other for adequate funding. Library champions must take this emerging challenge as an opportunity to educate the campus community about the vital role the University Libraries play in the academic life of this institution of higher education. Ideally, such a campaign would encourage key decision-makers to seek creative ways to adequately fund the full range of important library services, rather than “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Jeffrey Smith

Class of 1995