Ohio State U. bans dorm alcohol decorations

(U-WIRE) COLUMBUS, Ohio — Say goodbye to beer and liquor bottle collections. A new policy is in place at Ohio State University's residence halls, prohibiting empty alcohol containers from being used as decorations.

Steve Kremer, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, says in the past, students who displayed these empty alcohol containers would say a friend or sibling of drinking age had come to visit, leaving the containers behind.

"The new policy addresses a loophole in enforcement of alcohol laws and policies," Kremer says.

Kremer says the new policy is focused on changing the drinking culture in the residence halls.

"We are working with the Student Wellness Center on social norms towards alcohol use," says Jenny Klein, Director of Residence Life. "The alcohol container decorations in the rooms made it appear that students were drinking more than they really were. Studies have shown that the student body doesn't drink as much as people think they do."

The decorations would be displayed for days or weeks. Seeing these decorations repeatedly over a period of time has a psychological effect on the student's idea of the social norm for drinking. They begin to believe students drink larger quantities of alcohol than they really do, Kremer says.

"This policy helps alleviate peer pressure from other students," Kremer says. "It also removes a health hazard created when trash is stored in the rooms."

It avoids embarrassing situations for students who weren't drinking in the residence halls but had roommates who were and had these decorations, Kremer says.

"Students caught violating the new policy are asked to remove the decorations," he says.

Kremer emphasizes education over penalties. The Office of Student Affairs wants to help students who seem to be having problems with alcohol use, Kremer says.

"Our focus is on counseling and educating the student body," he says.

Although underage drinking is prohibited in the residence halls, students were allowed to decorate their rooms with empty alcohol containers.

— Chris Paul