Series On Alcohol a Start To Campus Dialogue

To the editors:

Thank you very much for giving so much thoughtful attention to the issue of alcohol on campus (Editorial Series, “Rethinking Alcohol,” Oct. 22-24).

We agree strongly that the central and urgent issue is the safety and health consequences of excess drinking. Drunkenness is closely associated with sexual assault and violence, and inebriated students can be one drink away from alcohol poisoning, a coma or even death.

The Committee on Alcohol and Health will give your recommendations serious attention, and it will certainly follow your advice to consult widely with students. We hope this is the beginning of a serious, campus-wide discussion of this urgent issue.

BENEDICT H. GROSS ’71

JOSEPH L. BADARACCO

Oct. 24, 2003

The writers are dean of the College and chair of the Committee on Alcohol and Health, respectively.