Every year at around this time, I am embarrassed to be a Gustie. Why? Because “Case Day” returns to campus like a stalking ex. Instead of writing yet another Gustavian article that masquerades as satire while giving this “tradition” oxygen, it is time to throw on it the cold vomit of scorn that it deserves.

Yes, there are many great traditions at Gustavus of which we can be justifiably proud. But binge drinking is no more a “tradition” that has a rightful place on a college campus than does date rape (and the two are all too often tragic bedfellows in college campuses across the country).

Case Day is not victimless. Ultimately, we all suffer as the result of the poor choices of a small minority. And every year, it robs students in that participating minority of a precious element of their identity, their self-esteem, as in a bid to conform they betray who they truly are.

It is only a matter of time before a Gustavus student will die from alcohol poisoning, as tragically happens on college campuses with sickening frequency (for an up-to-date list of student fatalities, including five in five weeks so far in spring semester 2010, go to compelledtoact.com/Tragic_listing/Main_listing_victims.htm).

And then what? Call me Cassandra, but don’t tell me that I didn’t speak to power—the pathetic power of peer pressure that is. It is time for the silent majority to speak out!

Eric Dugdale
Associate Professor of Classics