We acknowledge the fact that Bates must, by order of the Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement, resort to the most detested kind of alcohol policy: one that is lawful and responsible. And we support this position, albeit with somewhat hypocritical feelings.

We implore those who are incredulous to hold their outrage for a minute. It's the law we're talking about, not an administrative power play to control the drinking on campus. Bates is acting in accordance with state law, and it would be both ignorant and juvenile to hold a grudge against the administration for upholding it. Students should not expect the College to violate the law for the sake of what some students erroneously believe is campus-contained, safer and more self-controlled (but indisputably illegal) intoxication.

Many feel that the new policy is lawful, but nonetheless unjust. The policy's main focus is to discourage underage drinking, which is no less fair than setting the legal and seemingly arbitrary drinking age at 21. This is a related but separate argument.

What's pertinent in the current uproar is that selling alcohol without a liquor license carries some rather unpleasant penalties that both administrators and students don't want to incur.

The new policy won't prevent underage students from attending campus-wide parties. It just ensures that they won't drink at them. This kind of strategy is more lenient than that of some bars and clubs, where minors' attendance is prohibited.

A shared concern between students and administrators is about is how the policy will affect the whole campus social scene. Administrators, security officers, resident coordinators and junior advisers say that they will not act as law enforcement agents inside the dorms.

One danger of the policy is that students may no longer convene around kegs at campus-wides, but will instead form smaller groups that might gather privately to drink in the safer havens of their rooms. Students are determined that Den Terrace parties must go on, but the effects of the revised policy on attendance at other campus-wides remains to be seen. So do the effects on students' alcohol use at Bates.

What the new policy does provide is a chance for positive change.

For the past few years, there have been many complaints that the Bates social scene has become stale. With the new policy, students and organizations are being forced to be more creative, which can potentially result in a more diverse, entertaining and unusual party scene.

We can gripe, mope and complain all we want but that will not change the policy. If we approach this policy with optimism and an open mind, we can do great things which will set party precedents for years to come.

We will continue to drink if that is what we choose to do. This isn't going to change, but perhaps our definition of fun will no longer be standing in a smelly lounge fighting our way to the head of a keg.