Recent changes to residence hall policy to allow alcoholic beverages in some rooms have resulted in few, if any, new problems for hall staff, officers of the University of Wyoming Police Department and residents themselves.
With the closing of Hill Hall and the shifting of upper-level student housing options to the four Washakie halls this semester, residents who are above legal drinking age are now able to keep and consume alcoholic beverages within the privacy of their own rooms. Potential problems that may have been caused by opening the gates a little have not surfaced, much to the relief of resident assistants in particular, who have the dubious responsibility of being in the trenches and upholding hall policy.
One RA said they have had only compliant residents thus far.
This sentiment was echoed by UWPD as well. The policy may be new for the Washakie halls, but it has previously been implemented in Hill Hall.
“We haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary,” K-9 officer Sergeant Chad Bade said.
Responding to alcohol violations is one of an RA’s more serious duties, and often leads to police involvement, but the relatively lower number of legal-age residents means it’s easy to keep track of those who are alcohol-eligible and those who are trying to pull a fast one—so that hasn’t been an issue.
The RA said they have a separate list of residents allowed to have it.
This list shows all legal-age residents living in the halls, and includes upcoming birthdays to accommodate changes of age over time.
Otherwise, the possession or consumption of alcohol remains strictly prohibited for minors in the residence halls. The new variables concerning alcohol have not been significant enough to prompt changes in the way hall staff and UWPD enforce existing policy. Neither hall staff nor UWPD officers have new authority to search bags or rooms, or demand compliance in other ways.
“It’s been business as usual,” Bade said.
Residents still maintain their autonomy over their personal domain, and their rooms are no less considered private residences. There are very few exceptions to this, such as health and safety checks, for which residents are notified in advance, and matters of immediate safety.
“Residents have the right to consent or not consent for that to be searched,” Assistant Director of Training and Selection Corey Peacock said.
However, most students’ consent to searches and incidents rarely escalate into uses of legal authority, such as the obtaining of search warrants. In situations of noncompliance, hall staff typically steps back and calls in UWPD.
