Keller @ Large: UMass Amherst Campus Is Out Of Control

BOSTON (CBS) - UMass Amherst has a pretty good basketball team this year, and we look forward to watching them compete in March Madness. They were busy sharpening their game for the tournament this weekend, in sharp contrast with the hundreds of losers engaging in their own March madness on and off the campus.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

I have no doubt that some of those involved, maybe more than we want to admit to, will be ecstatic to learn that their day of massive binge-drinking, staggering around, and throwing bottles at police took first place for arrests among the multiple campus towns where they occurred. Kind of like winning top seeding for your school, except without any benefit and with hangovers and criminal records.

Hey, kids will be kids, right?

Actually, no, not all college kids are alcoholics, as some of those involved in the so-called Blarney Blowout surely are.

Binge-drinking may be widespread, but not all kids do it. Even some of those who do are just along for a ride they'd probably prefer to skip.

So, since we're talking about kids, some grown-ups might have to step in.

Any problem drinkers who incited violence last weekend should have already been expelled by now, with the university cooperating fully in their prosecution.

Drunks who stopped short of that should get immediate in-patient treatment for their disease, with the university laying off excess administrators to cover the cost.

And much, much more should be done to provide shelter from the booze storm for students who need it.

And if all these steps are somehow beyond UMass officials?

Maybe that's one reason why their campus is out of control.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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