This issue is not just important to Virginians. Indeed, in recent weeks it has been thrust into the entire country's public view. The national media has devoted a significant amount of coverage to the problem of college alcohol abuse. Slowly, America is discovering that the binge drinking culture is rooted so deeply into 1990's college life that it has become a rite of passage for college students. When students at Ohio University are rioting because a daylight savings time change deprives them of one hour of drinking time, it is a wake-up call for us all.
Many people place the blame on fraternities and sororities.
While there is some merit in taking a critical look at these organizations, we must be honest with ourselves. Binge drinking affects many more students than those in fraternities and sororities. It is too simple to blame all of our problems on Greeks. While there is a powerful negative influence for fraternity and sorority members to drink heavily, that same campus culture is pervasive among all college students. There is hope, however.