On Feb. 1, Student Government Association held a meeting at the West Allis campus to discuss the new drinking policy affecting student events on and off campus. At this point alcohol will not be allowed at MATC sanctioned events. We gathered intelligent and insightful opinions from six random students here at the Downtown Milwaukee campus. 

Authan Johnson, Liberal Arts program, “The way that the drinking policy is total ludicrous is that it doesn’t make any logical sense. MATC has a lot of events off campus, like the Black Student Union (BSU) has a Soul Food celebration which is one of MATC’s largest events and we have a bar located at the PAC downtown on Water Street. It doesn’t make any sense if we host events (with alcoholic beverages.) As adults, paying for college, we have the right to drink and can drink and smoke when we want to smoke and anything we do off of campus has nothing to do with this MATC as a whole, that’s against our civil rights.”

 Tim David, I.T. program, “If it’s anything outside the school as long as they [MATC students] are old enough and the companies are willing to sell alcohol to them then that’s their choice, but [while] inside the school, I would say no.”

David Tarantino, Culinary Arts program, “I don’t think it infringes on student rights, I think that the sacrifice for not drinking at one event is a fair exchange for the potential problems that it could because and the reputation that could affect the school, so I think that it’s a good policy.”

Isabel Rios, Paralegal Studies, “I think we should be allowed to drink. I mean if we are 21 and older, we should be allowed to drink cause that’s the legal limit in Wisconsin, I say they should lighten up on that policy.”

Kim Williams, Operations employee, “No, I don’t think we should have a drinking policy here. If one person acts up under the influence it would make a false impression of everyone here at MATC.” 

Michael LaFuente, part-time student, “I don’t think they should put a restriction on drinking at events. If you’re over 21 you should be able to drink as much as you want but responsibly.” 

To make an even bigger impact, we ask for your opinion on this issue by clicking the MATC Times hyperlink at the MATC homepage and answer the poll question.