In Defense of President Bacow and his response to the naked quad run

We want to add our voices to the discussion about the Naked Quad Run and react to some of the feelings expressed about President Bacow's letter to the community. Unlike opinions expressed in the Daily thus far, we thought the President's letter showed courage and leadership. We know he understands what the NQR means to Tufts students and that he is someone who has his own breadth of experience related to traditions and bonds formed during college. Unfortunately, we also know that he is the person who gets called in the middle of the night when we are not sure a student is going to survive or when a tragedy has occurred. Weighing tradition against tragedy can tip the scales dramatically and forever. Being part of an edgy, non-conforming tradition may be half the fun of an event like the NQR. But that thrill would disappear if the consequences were disastrous.

On the night of the NQR, hundreds of Tufts students ran through campus. Some vandalized property, some groped others, some illegally videotaped the event, and still others put barriers up to trip students_many of whom received significant injuries. The most serious medical problems that night were related to alcohol poisoning. When alcohol poisoning occurs, it is impossible for friends to predict how serious it is: one student may just "sleep it off", another may vomit and choke while unconscious, another may stop breathing. We cannot in good conscience ignore these risks. If a more serious outcome had occurred, you can be assured that all the editorials would be asking, "How could Tufts have allowed this to happen?" Where are the voices of students who have stayed up all night worrying about a friend? It is perplexing to us that the overriding concern expressed to this point is that the President actually voiced his upset over what he saw and what was reported to him.

It would be a real loss to the Tufts community if we became polarized on this issue, unable to have a discussion about the meaning of tradition, the meaning of community, and the meaning of dignity and responsibility. If the only student voices heard on this issue are the ones who rail against President Bacow's legitimate concerns, it makes it seem as if the only thing students care about is tradition for tradition's sake _ regardless of consequences. We know that does not represent all Tufts students. How Tufts students treat one another and respect one another's rights and safety should be at the heart of your most honored traditions, and the focal point of discussions about any future Naked Quad Runs.

Michelle Bowdler in the Director of Health Services and Margaret Higham is the Medical Director of Health Services.