Ohio University and drinking alcohol

Ohio University and drinking alcohol

Ohio University is nestled in the rolling hills of Appalachian Ohio

in Athens. This scenic town is a mere 90-minute drive southeast from Columbus. With an approximate student population of 23,000, Athens, Ohio, is the quintessential college town.

Ohio University is well known as the nation’s top Party School. However, the school is trying to end this reputation and has implemented very strict drinking policies.

Before we get to that, here are some reasons why they have the reputation.

1. Court Street
   
   The red bricks on this historic street are famous. The street is only about a half mile but there are bars up and down. Court Street is well known for drink specials and drunken naughtiness. However, this street is also notorious for undercover cops that lurk in the shadows and into the bars so be careful.
2. Bong Hill - named for all the potheads who make the climb.
   
3. Green Beer Day - Yay! The beer is green!
4. Win Or Lose, Bobcats Booze - Chants of “win or lose, Bobcats booze,” can be heard late into the night on Court Street after whatever game was just played.
5. Welcome Weekend - a whirlwind experience where newcomers are encouraged to drink up on that first Friday night.
6. Homecoming - Kegs and Eggs typically begin at 5 a.m. followed by 24 hours of drinking on Court Street.
7. Fest Season - plenty of drinking and a musical festival to boot.
8. Halloween
   
   The City of Athens closes Court Street and madness ensues.
9. Alumni - Just ask any OU alum about their time at OU and you will hear a drunken tale or three.
10. The Bobcat Attitude - they embrace their reputation.

With all that said, if you are underage, you should think twice about drinking when partaking in any of the above activities.

OU Policy
Despite all of this fun, OU is actually the wrong school for people under 21 years old that want to drink. The OU policy is very strict compared to most schools. It gives you two strikes, with the second being a semester suspension. A strike can come from a dorm write-up, off-campus violation, or through the notorious undercover cops in jeans and hoodies that make their way into bars. These sneaky officers lay low for a little while then, out of nowhere, arrest the unsuspecting teen for drinking at the wrong place at the wrong time. The university condones this as part of the strict policy. The city loves this because it is a revenue source. Anyway, a student can face probation after getting caught in the dorms or at the bars. You can even get reported by your RA if they smell it in your room. It may not seem fair when it seems like most underage kids are drinking but oh well.

Do NOT urinate in public
Many assume the most common student arrests are due to either underage drinking or open container violations. The leading cause of arrest on Ohio University’s campus is public indecency. This is usually because the lines at the bathroom are too long so people take their business outside. Don’t allow yourself to get popped for this!

If you get caught
If you get caught by the Athens police (who are out to get you), you will be given a court date. If it is your first offense, they will give you diversion which will consist of:

1. Read a book and do a book report
2. 8 hours of community service
3. 3 hours of alcohol training

The total cost will be around $400 but at least you won't have a record (assuming you complete the 3 steps). I hope it was worth it. Oh but wait, there's more. The school will find out about it and hand you this:

1. A $200 fine
2. More community service

Now you are out $600 bucks! And you lost two days doing service.

If you are underage and must drink, here are some tips:

1. Do not drink in a bar even if they let you in.
2. Do not buy alcoholic beverages even if some store or bar will sell it to you.
3. Do not drink on the streets or in public at all.
4. Do not overdo it. This is good advice anyway. Why do you want to get so drunk you can't even enjoy yourself?
5. Do not drink in the dorms. The RA can report you.
6. Drinking at a house is safe but do ALL of your drinking in the house and DO NOT overdo it (see tip #4).
7. Remember that the police are out to get you. The city of Athens makes a lot of money preying on teenagers who are drinking.

People don't care

If you are not 21 and do not want to risk suspension, just don't drink. People do not care if you don’t want to drink. Don’t feel like you have to do certain things to fit in. This is college so no one actually cares. Live your life to the fullest but don’t make stupid decisions that will haunt you.

Click here to see 20 reasons not to get drunk!