Luckily for Dartmouth students oiling up their tubes for this Saturday's Tubestock on the Connecticut River, neither New Hampshire nor Vermont prohibit public intoxication under state law, though students may need to worry about underage drinking and open container laws.
The annual event on the Connecticut River has traditionally involved many students drinking alcoholic beverages throughout the day, however there has not been a trend of an unusually high number of students being prosecuted for alcohol law violations.
New Hampshire and Vermont statutes state that individuals may not be prosecuted for public intoxication, however when on shore students who are drinking may be an easy target for police enforcing laws in either state prohibiting open alcohol containers on public property.
Alcohol violations are not the only issues students should be concerned with, however.
Although past years have not resulted in any serious student injuries or deaths, Tubestock participants should also be leery of drinking while swimming in the river.
In past years the College has not officially recognized the event, presumably because of the potential dangers associated with participation.
Strong currents and icy cold patches of water may catch students by surprise, according to many who have previously participated in the event.
Event organizer Rick Akerboom '80 warns students to watch out for their personal safety and health at all times and to be aware of laws and regulations to which they are subject at the event.
Akerboom, who is attributed with having started Tubestock, reminds students that, "Tubestock is not a Dartmouth event, but rather an Upper Valley event open to all," reminding students that they should not expect laws to be overlooked because of the event.
"The College," he notes, "is in no way connected with Tubestock, though students at Dartmouth are naturally welcome to attend."
