The Borough Council took the proposed alcohol ordinance off the table at their meeting last night but said they expected University students and administrators to continue efforts to curb excessive drinking at the University.
The council voted unanimously to remove the ordinance from its immediate agenda but indicated the ordinance could be reconsidered at any point. The council plans to hear an update in early December to verify that there has been progress.
Similar ordinances
Several New Jersey townships, including Ewing and Lawrence, enacted similar ordinances after the State Legislature in 2000 gave power to municipalities to enforce underage drinking laws.
Last night, members of the Borough community spoke against the proposed alcohol ordinance that would let police cite underage drinking in private residences, including the 11 eating clubs.
The Princeton Alcohol and Drug Alliance, an advisory group of University students, high school students, community members, and others, issued a report earlier this month that recommended rejecting the ordinance.
"If the goal of the proposed ordinance is to protect the lives of young people in Princeton Borough, we believe greater police power would create the opposite effect," said Cecilia Matthews, co-chair of PADA. "Many people would be hesitant to seek outside help immediately."
Several members of the University community also spoke against the ordinance and contended that the University has already taken new steps to combat excessive drinking.
Student concerns
USG president Pettus Randall '04 voiced student concerns about the potential dangers that could result from the ordinance. He named increased drunk driving, the consumption of hard alcohol in dorm rooms and student concerns about taking themselves or others to McCosh Health Center as potential problems that could be caused by the ordinance.
Janet Dickerson, vice president for campus life, said the University already has many existing measures and highlighted several new strategies that will be in place for the incoming freshman class.
Future plans
Beginning with the class of 2006, freshmen will have the option of substance-free housing in Rockefeller College, will be encouraged to take part in AlcoholEdu during the summer, and will be required to sign a statement at the beginning of the year acknowledging their understanding of the University alcohol policy. AlcoholEdu is an online program that aims to educate younger students about the risks of drinking.
Daniel Silverman, chief medical officer, promised the council that the University is committed to changing the current state of alcohol consumption on campus.
"The changes you will see from us will be incremental," Silverman said. "I do promise you we have been tireless in beginning to grapple with this issue."
Silverman added that the University would continue to work on decreasing high-risk drinking.
"The threat of the ordinance is not what is motivating people," he said. "Whether or not the town passes the ordinance will not bear upon our commitment to do this kind of work."
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