The University provides a broad learning experience for encouraging the personal and intellectual growth of students. Numerous opportunities exist for students to develop an understanding of their environment and to develop self-knowledge for living and working conditions after graduation. Since alcoholic beverages are widely used in society as a whole, the University has an obligation to assist the entire Rutgers community to become better informed about alcohol and its use to the greatest extent possible. The potential for responsible behavior by those who consume alcoholic beverages is increased with an adequate understanding of such topics as the effects of alcohol, the causes and treatment of alcoholism, the characteristic symptoms of alcoholism and chronic drinking, and types of socially accepted behavior associated with the drinking of alcohol. Various segments of the University community including faculty, staff and students contributed to the development of the alcohol beverage regulations for the New Brunswick campuses.
Alcohol is a socially accepted and legally regulated commodity in the United States.
A majority of college students consume alcoholic beverages. American society is often ambivalent, misinformed or ignorant about alcohol and its effects. Alcohol ranks as one of the most widely abused drugs which can cause addiction and serious health problems. Alcoholism is a disease which can produce harmful effects on individuals and on interpersonal relationships. The availability of non-alcohol beverages encourages greater freedom of choice and reduces the pressure to conform to behavior associated with alcohol consumption.