Finally! The UW has figured out how to get a handle on binge and underage drinking. This last week they decided that they will shun alcohol advertising and put an end to binge drinking on campus. The loss in advertising will amount to $425,000 per year to the athletic program but they’re “taking one for the team” per the Chancellor. Frankly, I don’t what that means in the big picture, the budget for the UW Athletic Department is outside my realm of expertise but it sounds like a lot of money to me.

What bothers me about this announcement is that it’s just another example of how the liberal elite in Madison are emphasizing action over results. I find it hard to believe that this action will result in any appreciable difference in the amount of alcohol consumption by students. It’s purely a political play by the University to look good.

Unfortunately to disagree with this policy I will probably be painted as somehow supporting alcohol abuse by students or others. On the contrary, I wholeheartedly agree that we should have stronger drunk driving laws (hearing about someone getting arrested for their umpteenth DWI is ridiculous). Likewise, I don’t condone binge or underage drinking but the UW’s actions here are clearly all about the show.