They can party till they drop at the University of Rhode Island - as long as it's without brewsky.
A week after it was named the nation's top party school by an annual guide, the University of Rhode Island on Wednesday banned alcohol at student events on campus."More and more of our students are demanding that they not be imposed upon by others whose judgment and behavior is impaired by substance abuse. It is time to take a stand at URI," President Robert L. Carothers said in outlining the ban during an assembly.
Students who are 21 or older can have alcohol in their rooms, but there will be none allowed at fraternity parties, homecoming events and all other student activities, he said.
First offenders face fines of $30 to $50 and second offenders up to $100. A third offense will result in a two-semester suspension.
Some students said the ban was unnecessary and too sweeping.
"Drinking is part of a college experience," said Nathan Maine, a 23-year-old business major from West Greenwich.
The policy comes a week after URI, which has about 12,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs, was named the top party school in The Princeton Review Student Access Guide to the Best 309 Colleges.
The paperback, which is put out by a New York publishing company and not affiliated with Princeton University, sends representatives to colleges to survey students and bases the guide on their responses.
URI officials stressed that the new policy is not a response to the ranking. They noted the school has for years implemented programs and policies aimed at curbing alcohol use.
URI banned Thursday night parties in 1988 and beer keg parties in 1990.