Alcohol Policy Poses Threat to Students' Social Life

Spencer M. Rascoff '97 came to Harvard in search of a good time during Freshman Week--but he says he didn't find it.

Instead, the Matthews Hall resident decided to trek to MIT and Boston College from the Yard because of the lack of parties, which he attributed to the College's new policy that makes the underage possession of alcohol a punishable offense.

"It's made Freshman Week very boring," Rascoff says.

Many first-years report that their first week of college was filled with smaller, tamer gatherings, and fewer of the sprawling out-of control events of past years.

"I've seen less drinking and fewer of the large parties we've been called on to respond to in the past," says Assistant Dean of Freshmen Michael J. Middleton '87.

The change in Harvard's regulations was made necessary by an amendment made to Massachusetts law last spring. The law, which previously prohibited only the purchase and serving of alcohol to minors, now additionally prohibits possession.

In a letter issued to students, Dean of the College L. Fred Jewett '57 wrote that tutors and proctors who discover students violating the policy will issue an informal warning, followed by a letter from a senior tutor or proctor for second offenders.

A third-time offense requires an Administrative Board case that may require mandatory alcohol treatment.

While some first-years conjecture that the new policy has deterred their classmates from throwing parties with alcohol, Matthews resident Sarah K. Kemble '97 says some first-years would welcome a quieter Yard.

"If people go elsewhere to drink then maybe it makes the dorms better for those who don't drink," Kemble says.

Rascoff blames Massachusetts law-makers--and not College policymakers--for his frustrations with the campus social life.

"I don't feel like the state is treating us maturely," he says. "It's like drinking in high school, drinking while looking over your shoulder."

As a result of the new policy, Jewett says he foresees a possible increase in the number of cases involving underaged drinking to go before the Ad Board.

"There probably will be more cases this year," he says. "But I'm hoping people that have been warned will make an effort to curb the problem."

But many students and tutors say they doubt the new policy will force an increase in the number of students, especially in the houses, receiving disciplinary action.

"The alcohol policies never seemed enforced before," Jeffrey C. Vacanti '95 says. "If they really enforced it, college life would be so drastically changed that they won't ever enforce it."

Winthrop House Senior Tutor Greg Mobley says as long as parties don't create noticeable disturbances, social life in houses will continue as usual.

"Every time the policy has changed, the students have adjusted their behavior and still managed to have a social life that involves alco- hol,' Mobley says. 'Everyone will adjust andsocial life will go on happily."

"If students keep the parties in their rooms,unless there's a disturbance, we are not going toraid anyone's rooms."

Cabot House Senior Tutor Julian P. Chang alsoemphasizes that resident tutors are not going tosearch for violators.

"There's not a lot of desire on the part oftutors to act like policemen," he says. "I don'tthink it will be any different than what we hadbefore."

Kirkland House Senior Tutor Garth O. McCavanaagrees that as long as parties do not exceednormal proportions, there is little reason forresident tutors to interfere.

"We're not going to go poking our noses intowhere we have not a need to," McCavana says. "Ifpeople draw attention to themselves by having aloud party, then they have to issue warnings."

The new regulation, however, may affectfirst-years more than other under-age studentsbecause their parties are usually filled withunderage drinkers.

"In the freshman Yard it's a clear cutsituation," Jewett says. "But in the houses itwill make things much more difficult because thereare students who can drink legally."

If the first-years do begin testing Harvard'snew guidelines, the proctors are prepared to dealwith the violators.

"It certainly requires us to be even morecareful and thoughtful about how we work with ourfreshmen, and it does raise the specter of bigbrother-big sister watching you," says seniorproctor Keith W. Light.

A major concern of proctors is that the newpolicy prohibits them from discussing responsiblesocial drinking with their students.

"I just worry about the University not beingable to have a role in teaching students aboutresponsible drinking," says Lionel proctor JamesJ. Monroe '86. "There's a way to do it right and away to do it wrong and this does not let us be apart of that education."

"There can be no dialogue," Monroe says. "Thedialogue was what was said at the Sunday nightmeeting [of individual proctor groups at the startof Freshman Week]: there can be no drinking."

Nathans, however, says proctors can still helptheir first-years without directly addressing theissue of responsible drinking.

"Proctors will continue to respond and to talkwith students about the resources of theUniversity that are available to help studentswho...have problems with the use of substances,"Nathans says.

Middleton says that although some may like thenew policy because they feel it is more clear cutthan the old one, he feels that many aredissatisfied with the law.

"I don't think the law addresses the subtletiesof adolescent development or the realities of lifeon college campus," he says. "[That opinion]doesn't interfere with my ability to enforce whatthe law is."

Thomas A. Dingman'67, associate dean of theCollege and the senior tutor at Dudley House, sayshe is "not happy at all" with the new policy.

"I think it's hard to expect that young peoplewon't drink," says Dingman, adding that adultsshould be able to help students learn to manageresponsible drinking.

"For people who do choose to drink or toexperiment with alcohol it's too bad [thelawmakers] had to create a situation where adultswill be by choice separated," he says.

And Rascoff says he believes the newobligations placed on college officials will put astrain on their relationships with the students.

"It's a tough situation they put the proctorsin," says Rascoff. "On the one had we're supposedto trust them and confide in them, on the other,they are watching over their shoulders to makesure we don't break the law."

Jesse M. Furman `94, a perfect in WigglesworthHall, says he has already seen evidence that thepolicy is detrimental to the student-adviserrelationship.

"It would undermine the proctor-tutor systems,"he says. "These people are our friends, people wecan talk to and trust. Now I've heard students saythey are fearful of proctors knocking on theirdoor and busting them for having beer inside."

McCavana, the senior tutor from Kirkland,agrees that students may shy away from theirtutors who must follow the new rules.

"It's going to make things difficult with us,"he says. "It takes away a part of our educationalrole."

Mobley, the senior tutor from Winthrop, alsocites this as a possible strain between studentsand resident tutors.

"The biggest change I see is that tutors won'tfeel comfortable attending parties unless it's asenior group because they will not want to putthemselves in the position of seeing the law beingbroken," Mobley says.

But Nathans says College officials have noother choice but to adhere to the law.

"Given what the law is, it really is irrelevantif individuals agree or disagree with what the lawsays," she says.

Jewett says College policy concerning illnessdue to alcohol will remain unchanged, and studentswho seek medical attention due to an alcoholoverdose will receive it without disciplinaryaction.

"We're not changing our position except ifwhile drunk they have done things that deservedisciplinary action," Jewett says. "If students goto the health services because of alcohol, thatwill not be grounds for disciplinary action."

Off-Campus Options

In response to the new restrictions, Mobleysays off-campus drinking will escalate.

"It might change the site of social life," hesays. "I see more students at bars now than thereused to be a few years ago."

Some members of the final clubs say thestricter alcohol policy will not affect theiralready-strict serving guidelines.

The clubs, which are not officially recognizedby the University, have often been criticizedbecause they are a sourcef of alcohol for minorson the Harvard social scene.

Club officials say, however, that rules oftheir governing body, the Inter-Club Council(ICC), already ban the possession of alcohol bythose underage.

Some club members say that bouncers screenpartygoers for proper identification and that noalcohol is served to minors. "With all parties, wefollow stringent rules," says Bliss M. Dake '94,president of the Spee. "We ID people and we have amain drinking room in the club to separate those21 and over."

Also, a two-year old agreement between the ICCand Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III requiresthe clubs to run non-alcoholic punches. The punchis the process by which the clubs select their newmembers.

But some members say that club punches alwaysinvolve alcohol. One member of the Phoenix, whowished to remain anonymous, said that during hispunch, members encouraged him to drink beer andhard liquor and that there is a full bar in theclub.

Still, many say that students will be able toenjoy their Harvard social life without goingoff-campus or to the clubs.

"My view is that if you're at a party andthere's not a lot of noise, and you keep it out ofsight, then I don't think it will bother a lot ofproctors," says Peter F. Rojas '97.

Yari M. Perez-Marin '97, a 29 Garden St.resident, says she doubts the new rules willdampen the spirits of many partygoers. "It won'thave that much of an effect because if people wantto go to a party they're going to do that."

Melissa Lee and Robin J. Stamm contributedto the reporting of this article.Crimson File PhotoWhile College alcohol laws have changed,laws regulating buying alcohol have not. Studentsmust still be 21 or older to purchase alcohol. Acustomer has his ID checked by a store clerk.

"If students keep the parties in their rooms,unless there's a disturbance, we are not going toraid anyone's rooms."

Cabot House Senior Tutor Julian P. Chang alsoemphasizes that resident tutors are not going tosearch for violators.

"There's not a lot of desire on the part oftutors to act like policemen," he says. "I don'tthink it will be any different than what we hadbefore."

Kirkland House Senior Tutor Garth O. McCavanaagrees that as long as parties do not exceednormal proportions, there is little reason forresident tutors to interfere.

"We're not going to go poking our noses intowhere we have not a need to," McCavana says. "Ifpeople draw attention to themselves by having aloud party, then they have to issue warnings."

The new regulation, however, may affectfirst-years more than other under-age studentsbecause their parties are usually filled withunderage drinkers.

"In the freshman Yard it's a clear cutsituation," Jewett says. "But in the houses itwill make things much more difficult because thereare students who can drink legally."

If the first-years do begin testing Harvard'snew guidelines, the proctors are prepared to dealwith the violators.

"It certainly requires us to be even morecareful and thoughtful about how we work with ourfreshmen, and it does raise the specter of bigbrother-big sister watching you," says seniorproctor Keith W. Light.

A major concern of proctors is that the newpolicy prohibits them from discussing responsiblesocial drinking with their students.

"I just worry about the University not beingable to have a role in teaching students aboutresponsible drinking," says Lionel proctor JamesJ. Monroe '86. "There's a way to do it right and away to do it wrong and this does not let us be apart of that education."

"There can be no dialogue," Monroe says. "Thedialogue was what was said at the Sunday nightmeeting [of individual proctor groups at the startof Freshman Week]: there can be no drinking."

Nathans, however, says proctors can still helptheir first-years without directly addressing theissue of responsible drinking.

"Proctors will continue to respond and to talkwith students about the resources of theUniversity that are available to help studentswho...have problems with the use of substances,"Nathans says.

Middleton says that although some may like thenew policy because they feel it is more clear cutthan the old one, he feels that many aredissatisfied with the law.

"I don't think the law addresses the subtletiesof adolescent development or the realities of lifeon college campus," he says. "[That opinion]doesn't interfere with my ability to enforce whatthe law is."

Thomas A. Dingman'67, associate dean of theCollege and the senior tutor at Dudley House, sayshe is "not happy at all" with the new policy.

"I think it's hard to expect that young peoplewon't drink," says Dingman, adding that adultsshould be able to help students learn to manageresponsible drinking.

"For people who do choose to drink or toexperiment with alcohol it's too bad [thelawmakers] had to create a situation where adultswill be by choice separated," he says.

And Rascoff says he believes the newobligations placed on college officials will put astrain on their relationships with the students.

"It's a tough situation they put the proctorsin," says Rascoff. "On the one had we're supposedto trust them and confide in them, on the other,they are watching over their shoulders to makesure we don't break the law."

Jesse M. Furman `94, a perfect in WigglesworthHall, says he has already seen evidence that thepolicy is detrimental to the student-adviserrelationship.

"It would undermine the proctor-tutor systems,"he says. "These people are our friends, people wecan talk to and trust. Now I've heard students saythey are fearful of proctors knocking on theirdoor and busting them for having beer inside."

McCavana, the senior tutor from Kirkland,agrees that students may shy away from theirtutors who must follow the new rules.

"It's going to make things difficult with us,"he says. "It takes away a part of our educationalrole."

Mobley, the senior tutor from Winthrop, alsocites this as a possible strain between studentsand resident tutors.

"The biggest change I see is that tutors won'tfeel comfortable attending parties unless it's asenior group because they will not want to putthemselves in the position of seeing the law beingbroken," Mobley says.

But Nathans says College officials have noother choice but to adhere to the law.

"Given what the law is, it really is irrelevantif individuals agree or disagree with what the lawsays," she says.

Jewett says College policy concerning illnessdue to alcohol will remain unchanged, and studentswho seek medical attention due to an alcoholoverdose will receive it without disciplinaryaction.

"We're not changing our position except ifwhile drunk they have done things that deservedisciplinary action," Jewett says. "If students goto the health services because of alcohol, thatwill not be grounds for disciplinary action."

Off-Campus Options

In response to the new restrictions, Mobleysays off-campus drinking will escalate.

"It might change the site of social life," hesays. "I see more students at bars now than thereused to be a few years ago."

Some members of the final clubs say thestricter alcohol policy will not affect theiralready-strict serving guidelines.

The clubs, which are not officially recognizedby the University, have often been criticizedbecause they are a sourcef of alcohol for minorson the Harvard social scene.

Club officials say, however, that rules oftheir governing body, the Inter-Club Council(ICC), already ban the possession of alcohol bythose underage.

Some club members say that bouncers screenpartygoers for proper identification and that noalcohol is served to minors. "With all parties, wefollow stringent rules," says Bliss M. Dake '94,president of the Spee. "We ID people and we have amain drinking room in the club to separate those21 and over."

Also, a two-year old agreement between the ICCand Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III requiresthe clubs to run non-alcoholic punches. The punchis the process by which the clubs select their newmembers.

But some members say that club punches alwaysinvolve alcohol. One member of the Phoenix, whowished to remain anonymous, said that during hispunch, members encouraged him to drink beer andhard liquor and that there is a full bar in theclub.

Still, many say that students will be able toenjoy their Harvard social life without goingoff-campus or to the clubs.

"My view is that if you're at a party andthere's not a lot of noise, and you keep it out ofsight, then I don't think it will bother a lot ofproctors," says Peter F. Rojas '97.

Yari M. Perez-Marin '97, a 29 Garden St.resident, says she doubts the new rules willdampen the spirits of many partygoers. "It won'thave that much of an effect because if people wantto go to a party they're going to do that."

Melissa Lee and Robin J. Stamm contributedto the reporting of this article.Crimson File PhotoWhile College alcohol laws have changed,laws regulating buying alcohol have not. Studentsmust still be 21 or older to purchase alcohol. Acustomer has his ID checked by a store clerk.