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Also, alcoholic containers, empty or full, are banned from visibility. The new policy was formulated last summer with Resident Assistants and other Residential Life staff. They came to the conclusion that the previous policy was not being respected among students. They added the fine in order to show students that consuming alcohol underage is just as much of breaking the law as any other crime. The Residential Life staff concluded that a fine and community service would be the best way to illustrate the seriousness of underage drinking, according to Peterson Hall RA Heather Schabert. The $150 fine will double every additional offense. The bill is sent to the parents of the student. If a student is unable to pay the charge, he or she is given community service.

“I am really happy with the new policy,” Schabert said. “I think it has really lowered the amount of drinking going on.”

But not everybody is happy with the new policy. “If people want to drink they still will,” said senior Anthony Shelton. “I live in a first-year dormitory and they have the reputation of being just drunk kids running through the halls whereas now, with the new policy, if people drink, they stay in their rooms with the door closed,” Shelton said.

The new alcohol policy is coupled with new encouragement of student activities put on by HEAT and WTF. In an effort to dissuade students from sitting around drinking all night, the Student Center has games going on during the weekends and is now open until midnight from Thursday to Saturday. Events including outdoor movies and capture the flag are aimed at getting students out of their dorm rooms and building connections with fellow Hamline students.

“Hamline is all about finding your voice, and you do not need alcohol or drugs to help you find yours,” Schabert said.