Saying it all

I didn't think this would be my last column, so I guess I will just have to say all the things I was planning on writing about extensively next semester. 

First and most importantly, the Cameron Crazies are awfully lame, and if Cameron weren't so small we wouldn't have to hear so much about them. ESPN, Dicky V, SI and everyone else can write whatever they want, but I go to school here, and I know those kids. I am embarrassed that when many people think about where I go to college, blue-painted nerds jumping up and down are what springs to mind. The same kids who were getting thrown in trash cans in high school are cool in college? 

More likely they have just created a world for themselves with easily understandable rules for social success. The closer you are to the front of the line, the cooler you are. Never mind that it is just a basketball game or that the payoff for months of tenting is three sweaty hours repeating cheers that actually original people came up with long, long before you bought your $150 tent from Wal-Mart and taped  "Redick's Road dogs" to it (if you were "crazy" enough to come back from Christmas early and be tent 4).

Next, the only problem with the social scene at Duke are the people whining about the social scene at Duke. So the University makes it hard for the frats to throw keggers, or even parties. All that means is that you don't have to spend your weekends in claustrophobically small dorm rooms and hallways looking for a Solo cup or a can of Natty. Go out, meet people. Go to the Federal, the Joyce, the G-Loft and everywhere else worthwhile in Durham.  College is awesome, but you still have to make an effort to have a good time.

That said, the reality is that the University's efforts to corral student drinking has resulted in a sense of alienation between students and administrators. The most important issues to many students are annoying "wastes of time" to Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs. I think that the vision of Duke that many of administrators have simply does not include people like me. Evidently, the diversity that the University strives to promote need not include that kind of social aspect. Perhaps this is simply part of the University's focus on science at the expense of the liberal arts. Whatever the reason, many administrators seem to treat even legal alcohol consumption as embarrassing and unprofessional.

Third, the police in Durham are a disgrace. I have been harassed by them in the past for being drunk at a bar, but the people who knock on my door at two in the morning asking for change are still able to limp and drool down the street free as drug-addled jay birds.

The fact that the University not only does nothing to assist students who had their rights violated (the arrests at the Belmont pool, the Alcohol Law Enforcement raids) but looks further into punishing students after the fact is appalling and disturbing. The priorities of the administration seem to be running the University like a well oiled machine, not the safety, security or rights of the students.

Finally, marijuana should be legalized. Nah, then I would never get anything done, and parents would be warning about gaining the freshman 50. Still, it would be cool to hear "Could I have a pack of Camel Greens?" at the gas station.