A vocal minority tries to stay dry

If University students drink significantly more than the average American college students -- and many respondents to a recent poll said they do -- and if 11 percent of the students polled stressed that drinking was a part of "college life" -- and they did -- Penn's dry minority is lamenting it. While most students were aware of recent administrative efforts to increase awareness about binge drinking, which range from meetings with bar owners to a mandatory session with freshman athletes, many conceded that drinking is an integral part of life at Penn. "I don't think there's much they can do," said one female student, who admitted to binge drinking 20 times so far this year. But a sizable minority of students, for one reason or another, said they don't drink alcohol and that it isn't a vital aspect of their social lives. "Most of the places where alcohol is offered, you can still have a good time even if you're not drinking," said one female student. "I'll go to all the parties, I just don't drink," another female student said. Others wished more people would remain sober. "Since I've been here, that's all I've seen," said one female freshman. "And I do resent it somewhat, especially on the weekends. Everybody's really loud." College freshman Michelle Henry said it's often hard to find companions who, like her, don't drink. "Usually on weekends I just hang out with one or two people," Henry said. "Because that's about all I can find who's sober -- especially in the Quad. "I spend lots of time in my room chilling with my roommates and my friends," she added. "I went to a couple frat things at the beginning of the year for about five minutes but I couldn't handle that any longer because everyone was always drunk." Now, she and her friends draw and paint, go to South Street occasionally and dye their hair often. "We search out drugstores so we can buy hair dye," she said. "Once, my roommate and I pierced our ears because there was nothing to do." Students bent on having fun sans beer agreed that the lack of non-alcoholic options near campus is sobering. "I wish there was something besides the three Cinemagic movies," said a female student. "I've seen them all." Engineering sophomore William Attman, who also does not drink, said he spends his leisure hours playing computer games. "I've found it cheaper in the long run than going out and spending 10 bucks a night on booze," he said. "I especially like role playing games: Dungeons and Dragons and all that crap. I find it much more richly rewarding." Attman said that while he doesn't "do the party scene," he doesn't "think this school is in any way diminished by it." He said he found it amusing when during last year's Spring Fling, a teacher begged, "Please come to class, go ahead and bring your questionable beverage, just please come."