Binge Drinking

            
             For most college students, the journey away from home is often their first. They will have to deal with many new and challenging situations both academically and socially. For many, high school was a time of stress and worrying about getting into a good college. But once accepted and enrolled, students tend to take advantage of the wild life, often in excess. Binge drinking has become a large problem on college campuses nationwide. There are a few reasons why students tend to over drink. But on Tulane's campus, with the drinking age being eighteen in residence halls, a mixed message about alcohol is being sent out. Does Tulane University's campus drinking age support and encourage binge drinking?.
             Binge drinking, for males, is defined as five or more drinks in a row. For women, it is defined as four or more drinks in a row. Frequent binge drinkers partake in this activity at least twice a week. A drink is defined as any 12-ounce beer or wine cooler, one shot of alcohol (straight or mixed), or one glass of wine. .
             Students who drank regularly in high school tend to engage in binge drinking during college. Also, "being white, involved in athletics, or a resident of a fraternity or sorority made it more likely that a student would be a binge drinker." While binge drinking is not seen on all campuses, Tulane University does have its share of alcohol problems. .
             Tulane University currently has thirteen fraternities and six sororities, all which are recognized by the school. The Greek system has strong written rules regarding alcohol policies in fraternity houses; not all of which are followed. .
             The main problem with Tulane University and drinking is the confusion of the Louisiana State laws and Tulane policies. The legal drinking age in Louisiana is 21 years of age. However, there are exceptions to that law. "Between the ages of 18 and 20, a person may consume alcohol for : a) religious purposes, b) when accompanied by a parent, spouse or legal guardian 21 years of age or older, c) for medical purposes when legally prescribed, d) in private residences and private clubs, e) if lawfully employed by a licensed manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer.