Last year, there was a strong argument for the prohibition of drinking on campus. Advocates who support drinking on campus assert the idea that people can promote friendship through drinking, and this is a privilege of university students. But, that is against all reason. They only assert ‘privilege of youth’ but totally forget about consideration for others. Usually most students drink on ‘Makgeolli hill’ in front of the library. But, do they enjoy drinking quietly without causing raucousness? No. They usually shout and play games very loudly while drinking alcohol. The noise they make is a serious problem, and it disturbs people who study in buildings near the hill, including the library. Some students want to concentrate on studying in a quiet atmosphere, but it is difficult to concentrate this situation.
It is also a problem that many people believe drinking on campus is a symbol of freedom. While most developed countries prohibit drinking in public places, including universities, drinking on campus is considered unique to Korean culture. Of course studying is not the sole purpose of entering university. Students also have access to resources and activities that can prepare them for the future. It is obvious that bad drinking behavior is not helpful toward preparation for the future. Besides, Korean poor drinking culture has not improved for a long time. According to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO), most Korean students enjoy heavy drinking, and there are lots of accidents by drinking every year. Everybody knows about the negative effects of heavy drinking. There would be no need to control campus life if a healthy drinking culture was already established. This prohibition act can be a warning to all of us and make us aware of drinking culture.
By Na Hye-sun
Dept. of English language and literature
No Need for Overall Prohibition, But Need for Tougher Rules
For those students whose lives revolve around alcohol, the new law prohibiting alcohol on campus, which is going to take effect in April, would be more than a bolt out of the blue. They may say, "Isn't it ridiculous that drinking is officially banned on our campus? Why on earth aren't universities allowing their students to enjoy their very own little entertainment? We don't get it." True, it could be too much restriction. But also true, most drinking on campus was excessive. It may be better to use the term 'binge drinking.'
Yet, I'm not saying there should be a blanket ban on alcoholic drinks on campus. Indeed, I'm saying there is a need to put a few brakes on the gluttony. Looking back, on an official CNU site and ILC, there has been a lot of public outcry over raucous binge parties at CNU and its participants who don't give any thought to their noise-making behavior. People have reportedly raised their voices in alcohol-related quarrels with other students. Some people said they were even very frightened as some students in the drinking party were yelling and on the rampant around the department buildings. Need I say more?
That being the case, at least, alcohol-restrictive legislation is needed. I didn't say 'banning' but 'restricting'. It means the best solution for this conundrum is a win-win solution, not overall prohibition or freedom. Only on the rare occasion such as the fall festival, it would be good idea if university authorities are flexible in allowing binge drinking on campus. During periods when nobody wants to be interrupted by any undesirable noises or activities, drinking alcohol should be restricted. Remember this: a win-win situation doesn't exist only in the textbooks or TV-screens.
By Yoon Joo-sung
Dept. of Business administration