New Alcohol Policy Officially Released

Dean of the College L. Fred Jewett '57 yesterday released the final version of a tough new College drinking policy which will require students to inform their houses of keg deliveries and compel tutors to enforce state regulations on underage drinking.

But the final version of the new alcohol policy contained few surprises, and most of its provisions have already gone into effect--among them a complete ban on alcohol at first-year parties.

Students and house officials will receive a letter from the dean and a copy of the new rules--including a description of possible sanctions to be taken against violators--by the beginning of next week, Jewett said.

The College was forced to develop the new regulations this fall as a result of new federal legislation which took effect this week. The law makes all federal support for the University--estimated at $200 million--contingent upon its enforcement of drug and alcohol laws.

College officials worked out the new regulations after months of discussion and planning, and house masters and senior tutors reached a consensus on the plan's details at a meeting two weeks ago.

Among the changes Jewett highlighted in the new alcohol policy were:

.A regulation prohibiting College affiliates from serving alcohol to underage students in both private and public settings. Hosts of parties who break the rule are now subject to disciplinary action.

In previous years, students were only held responsible for violations of alcohol policy if they had failed to maintain order at events they were hosting.

.A rule making students responsible for checking IDs at parties, and requiring them to serve both food and non-alcoholic beverages. Hosts are also barred from advertising and collecting money for parties.

.A provision requiring students to register all alcohol deliveries to their houses. Houses will not allow deliveries to underage drinkers.

.A reminder that use of marijuana and other illegal drugs is prohibited by both state law and College regulations. Jewett noted, however, that the College's rules on drug use have not changed dramatically under the new policy.

Possible College disciplinary action under the new policy ranges from an informal warning to action by the Adminstrative Board, which may place violators on probation or require them to withdraw.

Consumption of alcohol in a public place will generally result in an infor- mal warning, while serving alcohol to minorsmay warrant a more serious sanction from a houseor the Ad Board.

In his letter, Jewett said that Collegeofficers are required to take appropriate actionif they encounter someone breaking the new rules,but not to search for violators.

"We are not requiring you to seek out suchviolations as investigators, but we do expect thatyou will not ignore violations which come to yourattention," Jewett wrote.

Jewett also said that he hoped students couldprotect the character of the college's advisingsystem by avoiding situations in which tutorswould be required to take disciplinary action.

"We hope that you will understand that Collegeofficers, including tutors and proctors, have aresponsibility to apply College rules even if theymay not personally agree with them," the deanwrote. "It would be a real loss if relationshipsbetween students and House or Freshman Dean'sOffice staff were to deteriorate because of thesenew regulations," Jewett wrote