If you attended the Vanier Hall Casino Royale event last Friday, you may have noticed no liquor was served.
A Facebook event originally advertised it as a wet/dry.
But from now on there won’t be any residence hosted wet/drys, according to St. Thomas University residence manager Clayton Beaton.
The change follows a meeting on Oct. 3 with residence life staff, residence coordinators, and the house presidents.
“Some house presidents didn’t really see the point to it after reviewing some things from last year, the events not making any money, and a lot of the people in their houses couldn’t drink anyway,” said Beaton.
Of the approximately 700 students living in residence, Beaton said about 400 are first-year students, most being underage.
Justine Rickard, a 19-year-old first-year student, said she was upset the Vanier event was dry.
“It sounds like ‘oh let’s get drunk,’ but it’s more of a social thing to go and get a drink if you’re of legal age. It’s kinda nice to not to have to leave and drink a little bit more and then come back,” she said.
Last year the welcome week wet/dry was held at the Forest Hill ballroom.
Following the event Lee Dalberg, campus police supervisor, said there was more underage drinking than in previous years.
He saw misuse of furniture and inappropriate behaviour, such as a guy throwing a girl on a table.
Additional campus police were called in and students were ejected for being inebriated, combative and partially nude on the dance floor.
Last year’s winter formal, held at the SUB ballroom, was also a dry event.
STU student Kristen O’Hanley said she understands the reasoning behind the change, but thinks they could have done it differently.
“I’m 25 and I drink in moderation and I should be able to make that decision for myself.
“It definitely sucks.”
Beaton said the confusion over whether the Vanier event would serve liquor stems from a communication issue.
He did not notify the person responsible for ordering the liquor that the event was dry and said the Facebook event had incorrect information.
In August, Beaton said there was a conversation about house committees handing out liquor at events, similar to what used to take place on April
6th Day in Harrington Hall. The decision was made to also end that practice.
“I honestly don’t care that much that the events are now dry. I think its a great idea for first years or those not of age. They won’t feel younger or not able to go,” STU student Alannah Scott said.
