Some colleges have developed new methods to encourage responsible drinking.

Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., for example, updated its alcohol policy in August. One keg is allowed in residence hall rooms, but students must attend a class on responsible partying and register their parties online. Each party is limited to 25 to 35 people, depending on the size of the students' rooms.

Santa Clara University in Los Angeles has an intervention program that educates students on the negative effects of alcohol, including pre-partying, said Matthew Duncan, associate dean for student life.

"It's not realistic for us to expect students to stop drinking. All we can hope is students drink in a responsible way and not engage in high-risk drinking," Duncan said.

— USA Today

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BANS MASKED SWEATSHIRTS

Six high schools in Orange County have banned students from wearing masked sweatshirts because it allows them to conceal their identities.

The ban went into effect last week at high schools in the Capistrano Unified School District and e-mails were sent to parents telling them not to buy sweatshirts that zip up all the way through the hood.

School officials said the "hoodies" resemble masks when zipped up, making it difficult to discern who is underneath.

Other school officials in Orange and Los Angeles counties said they did not have policies specifically banning the mask hoodies.

— Associated Press

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