It’s no surprise that alcohol plays a large role at just about every college campus. Administrators are constantly trying to find ways to curb underage drinking and alcohol abuse at their school.

UW-Madison is no exception. Except things are a little more extreme there. Madison is known as one of the biggest party schools in the nation and it’s chancellor, John Wiley, wants to change things.

Unfortunately, he’s going about it in the wrong ways. Wiley, along with Madison Mayor Sue Bauman and the city’s Alcohol License Review Committee are trying to stop multidrink specials at area bars. They claim these bars are encouraging the consumption of large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time.

Well, duh. It is unfortunate when the university gets involved with private businesses in such a manner. Interfering with how bars operate is the last thing Ward should be worried about. It should be left up to the individual student how he or she wants to live.

Ward’s motivation is understandable. Unfortunately he’s only concerned with the image of his university, not with the health of the students.

If he was concerned with the actual students he would realize the necessary steps to preventing alcohol abuse are rooted in education, not prevention.

The bars have the right to do what they want, as long as it is within state guidelines.

If strict regulations are imposed on bars, it won’t curb alcohol abuse. It will only increase the amount of house parties, and drinking in dorms – obviously not something the university wants.

The students are adults who can make their own choices and they should be treated appropriately.

It’s good if a university wants to create programs to educate people of the dangers of alcohol.

But bars shouldn’t take the blame something that they have no control over.