On a college campus, interaction between students, faculty and staff is bound to reach outside the classroom, especially when we have a venue that facilitates such experiences.

Some may think that this extra interaction should be limited or labeled inappropriate when the situation involves drinking. But if all involved are behaving as they should, I do not see the problem in the comingling of these people just because they are all on campus and alcohol is involved.

As a student, I have been to my share of events that have been held in the 1862 Lounge wherein students, faculty and staff were all in attendance and some of these people were enjoying a beer. Nothing inappropriate was taking place.

If a professor wants to have a beer while having a discussion with other like-minded individuals, regardless that we are on campus or students are in attendance, there is no problem.

All those involved in such a situation are adults, and while I do recognize that faculty and staff are typically older, wiser and in positions of power, we should all act as such and be expected to behave appropriately.

This only becomes a problem when we make it a problem.

When someone abuses this sense of shared community by behaving inappropriately, then the issue is with that person and their actions, not with the standard already in place.

To say that faculty and staff cannot drink when in the campus bar would be defeating the purpose of it being a bar.

If this is really of such concern to people, then make the choice not to hang around with other drinking adults. If a student really does not feel grown up enough to be around others responsibly engaging in adult behavior, then they need to make the choice to remove themselves from that situation and not punish those who have done nothing wrong.

Saying it is inappropriate for an adult to drink among other adults is just childish.

If you are in the 1862 Lounge and a professor of yours is having a beer and behaving like an adult, but you are uncomfortable, the problem is with you, not the professor.