Mythbusters: Where does the beer go?
Benjamin Cook
Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Features
Myth: The Department of Security stockpiles confiscated alcohol in a room under Robert's Union.
FALSE: Contrary to popular belief, confiscated beverages are not taken and consumed by members of Security. In the event that an underage student is found in possession of alcohol, Assistant Director of Security Jeffrey A. Coombs explains, procedure calls for one of two options. If the majority of the alcohol is in open containers, then security officers will have the students go to the bathroom and pour it down the drain. If officers come across a large quantity of alcohol, such as a case of beer or a keg, then they take it back to the main Security office for later disposal.
Students, including Samuel J. Rouleau '10 and Nicholas Bromley '10, have expressed their suspicions as to whether or not Security really gets rid of their alcohol. In one instance, after an officer had confiscated "a 30 rack of Natty," Rouleau describes, "walking I would guess 30 yards behind the guard, who marched back towards Robert's Union. Then, as he entered, I saw him tear the box open and grab out a single can as the door closed." He admits, however, that he doesn't "actually know what came of the beer."
Bromley asserts that the beer "is being stockpiled in a secret chamber under Robert's Union" and is being used for official Beer Die tournaments. The Physical Plant Department (PPD) has no record of any chamber or tunnel beneath Roberts. None of PPD's blueprints contains a room that could be used for alcohol storage.
Though Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students James S. Terhune is not directly involved with Security's policies, he affirms that the only time an officer would hold onto alcohol would be with the most serious offenses. In these cases, they would keep the confiscated items as evidence.
Director of Security Peter S. Chenevert confirms both Coombs and Terhune's explanation of the alcohol policy. He comments that "most of the guys" on the job "don't even drink anymore."
FALSE: Contrary to popular belief, confiscated beverages are not taken and consumed by members of Security. In the event that an underage student is found in possession of alcohol, Assistant Director of Security Jeffrey A. Coombs explains, procedure calls for one of two options. If the majority of the alcohol is in open containers, then security officers will have the students go to the bathroom and pour it down the drain. If officers come across a large quantity of alcohol, such as a case of beer or a keg, then they take it back to the main Security office for later disposal.
Students, including Samuel J. Rouleau '10 and Nicholas Bromley '10, have expressed their suspicions as to whether or not Security really gets rid of their alcohol. In one instance, after an officer had confiscated "a 30 rack of Natty," Rouleau describes, "walking I would guess 30 yards behind the guard, who marched back towards Robert's Union. Then, as he entered, I saw him tear the box open and grab out a single can as the door closed." He admits, however, that he doesn't "actually know what came of the beer."
Bromley asserts that the beer "is being stockpiled in a secret chamber under Robert's Union" and is being used for official Beer Die tournaments. The Physical Plant Department (PPD) has no record of any chamber or tunnel beneath Roberts. None of PPD's blueprints contains a room that could be used for alcohol storage.
Though Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students James S. Terhune is not directly involved with Security's policies, he affirms that the only time an officer would hold onto alcohol would be with the most serious offenses. In these cases, they would keep the confiscated items as evidence.
Director of Security Peter S. Chenevert confirms both Coombs and Terhune's explanation of the alcohol policy. He comments that "most of the guys" on the job "don't even drink anymore."
Be the first to comment on this story