New substance abuse regulations set in place over the summer are starting to be felt in Tufts dormitories. Since September, first-time substance abuse offenders have been managed by the Office of Residential Life, as opposed to the Office of Judicial Affairs.
For some students, the policy is comforting, in that it allows them the opportunity to defend themselves in front of peers instead of a Judicial Affairs Board. A first violation requires a meeting with the Residential Judiciary Board (RJB), which is composed of one Proctor, one Resident Assistant (RA), and three student board members. The decision made by the board is binding, but may be appealed.
With alcohol policy in the hands of ResLife, some say they feel more relieved that a mistake will not necessarily hamper their Tufts career. "The new policy is better because I felt much more comfortable talking to my proctor than to a dean that doesn't know me or understand me as well," one sophomore said.
Further changes were made to the University's probation policy. Disciplinary probation is a warning that a student's behavior has violated the standards of the University community, according to Residential Life guidelines, and subsequent violations during the probationary period are likely to lead to more serious disciplinary action.
Currently, if a student is on Probation 1, no written statement is listed on a his or her transcript. And under the new policy, students on Probation 1 are still considered to be in "good standing" with the University. These students are not prohibited from rushing fraternities.
"I messed up the first week of school, but thankfully, because of the new Probation 1 policy, I am being punished only in moderation," said one female freshman. "I can still rush a Greek organization, and I can still study abroad my junior year. These are the opportunities and benefits that I would have hated to miss."
Dean of Judicial Affairs Veronica Carter and Dean of Students Bruce Reitman were instrumental in the reorganization of the policy. Neither administrator would comment on the changes at this time.
The Office of Residential Life also declined to comment.
While the new policies continue to be monitored, students and RAs seem pleased for now. And some say that the new policy generates a greater respect between residents and RAs.
"Students are learning to be more respectful and aware of what they are doing in the dorms, and in turn, we have earned a greater respect for the residents," one male RA said.
"The new policy has helped to build community and respect for one another," another male RA said. "If the residents behave maturely, the policy gives them more power and leniency. I think that in general, students are content with the less severe policy."
