 "Photo:")
Friday night, the room is quiet, the table is empty, and the Solo cups are in the cupboard. The remnants of old beer cans and stains on the floor are the few reminders that this room was once the center of students' night life. The rims of the shot glasses hold a thick layer of dust, and the "beeramid" that was so delicately constructed has long since crumbled.
All over campus, similar scenes are unfolding, leaving cops bored and Resident Directors unemployed. The general consensus among administrators and students alike is that the overwhelming Irish population at BC has given up alcohol for Lent, leaving an unmistakable dent in the college party scene.
The city of Boston has seen a similarly drastic decline in college parties, causing a fatal blow to the liquor stores of Boston. In response to the Irish movement to, as some liquor store owners put it, "destroy the alcohol business," the organization Liquor Store Owners for Irish Drinkers (LSOID) has appealed to the Governor for a bill that would require each Irish college student to consume at least two handles of alcohol or a 30 of beer a week.
"We aren't asking for anything that extraordinary," said John Murray, owner of a local liquor store and leader of the LSOID. "This bill actually underestimates the amount of alcohol the average Irish college student consumes."
In protest to the bill, Irish students at Boston College have been leading organized protests on campus under the name Irish Refuse Alcohol (IRA). The organization hopes to get equal rights and respect when it comes to the party scene.
"For too long, we have been unfairly expected to consume alcohol," said Don McCourt, member of IRA, at Friday's rally. "It is unfair and unjust that people assume that we drink a lot just because we are Irish college students. It's time that we are respected and only made to drink as much as the average college student."
IRA's tactics have been considered hostile, and administrators have spoken off record of threats. One administrator, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke of getting "mysterious phone calls at night. But when I pick up, the only sound I hear is beer cans being opened."
Other administrators have secretively reported similar threats, the most common of which has been finding shot glasses with messages of "drink or die" thrown through their windows.
IRA takes no credit for the attack and insists that it cannot be held responsible for the actions of all Irish students.
"It is ridiculous that the administration would try to pin this all on us," said Patrick McCarthy, leader of IRA. "We are the one's being oppressed. First it was the potato famine and being immigrants; now, we are being threatened by unfair drinking expectations. Isn't it time that other cultures and races take up this load?"
While Fr. Leahy was not available for comment, a member of IRA reported that he is a frequent member of the group's meetings. Some students find this connection disturbing.
"Fr. Leahy's suppose to be looking out for the best interests of this university," said Brian Tulba, A&S '08. "If he is consorting with the IRA to stop Irish drinking, he is definately going to side with them. And if BC loses its party scene, what else is there to attract students?"
Leahy's office is excpected to release a message concerning Irish drinking within the upcoming week. A hopeful and tense campus awaits the outcome.
Be the first to comment on this article!