Time to put the brakes on extreme college culture

College, from its single-sex beginnings to now, has always been a rite of passage. And, as is the way of the world, the attitudes towards that rite of passage are changing.

No one needs to tell you that kids party in college. You don’t need to be shown the statistics on alcohol abuse or the entire genre of movies dedicated towards depicting the perfect party to know that. It definitely does exist, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But when the president of Dartmouth College, Phillip J. Hanlon, speaks out against this debauchery, claiming that the school’s “promise is being hijacked by extreme behavior,” something is amiss.

Among the tales of partying and drinking lies a nastier reality. According to the National Institute of Justice, a college with 10,000 students could experience as many as 350 rapes per year and an alcohol abuse statistic to match. And that’s sans Greek life.

From “butt-bombs” to vomit tacos, the Greek life at universities is the epitome of scholarly excellence and upstanding citizenry; not to mention the manslaughter, rape, sexual torture and psychological trauma. That’s a high price to pay for “friends.”

This culture is not something to take a laissez-faire attitude towards. Yes, it’s entirely possible to stay safe and party. But by participating in these activities, you’re not only putting yourself at risk, but you’re potentially hurting others as well. There is no denying that: the rape and drunk driving statistics speak for themselves. So, if  you choose to participate in these activities in college please be considerate of others.

Understand that you’re not the only one who can be punished for your misbehavior. Friends, families, other human beings are hurt as well — and all for one night of fun at an expensive, academic institution whose entire goal is to get you to be an engaging citizen of this world.