Alcohol policy shift has mixed, undetectable results

Despite changes to the University's alcohol policy that require resident assistants (RAs) to file reports for all alcohol violations, it appears that RAs are continuing to exercise discretion when deciding whether to write students up.

While the number of calls to Tufts Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) this semester was four times the number received last fall according to Dean of Students Bruce Reitman, the number of written reports filed with the Office of Residential Life & Learning (ResLife) is about the same.

According ResLife, there have been 70 first-offense written reports this semester.

"We're in the same place we were last year," Reitman said.

The new policy meant that students who were treated by TEMS for the first time were no longer placed on probation level one, but RAs were required to file written reports instead of issue verbal warnings for first offenses. The University made the change so that students would seek medical help without worrying about the disciplinary consequences.

"We might have saved lives," Reitman said.

This year, when an RA files a written report, students receive a letter from Director of Drug and Alcohol Education Margot Abels. There is no disciplinary action, but ResLife has a written record of the offense.

Reitman said the change in TEMS policy came from prodding by RAs and Tufts Community Union (TCU) senators, and its purpose was "to take the disciplinary sting out of first offenses."

But veteran RAs indicated that the change in University policy has not changed how they respond to situations. "I was basically going by last year's rules," one RA said. "If it was serious, we'd still put it down the first time."

The same RA said expecting RAs to document all first violations is impractical.

With an entire hall of under-age, drinking students, "if I had to write up every single one of them, it'd just be outrageous," the RA said.

However, the RA said new RAs abide by the policy because "that's the only thing they know," and that as time goes on, even returning RAs will abandon their discretion.

Another RA explained that because RAs are not supposed to use discretion, they often avoid confrontations with their residents that would require written reports. "I don't want to damage my relationship," the RA said.

The same RA suggested that RAs file written reports with proctors and that formal reports should be filed with ResLife at proctors' discretion. But, the RA said, "they're going in the right direction and it's better than last year in terms of safety."

Reitman explained that the high number of alcohol-related incidents in the fall semester had to do with the incoming freshman class.

"First year students are experimenting with their newfound freedom," Reitman said, which leads to a high concentration of violations in the freshman class.

An Alcohol and Drug Program initiative is attempting to study the effects of the alcohol policy and other alcohol-related concerns, and make policy recommendations. In October, the program hosted three Alcohol Think Tanks -- open discussions on alcohol use at Tufts -- and Abels, the program's director, is currently assembling an advisory council to review the discussions and make concrete recommendations.

A draft report issued by the program suggests targeting freshmen, tailoring alcohol education for specific groups on campus, clarifying the role of RAs, and having administrators deliver a uniform message.

The discussions were important, Abels said, because an effective alcohol policy requires as much participation and collaboration as possible. "I have been so struck by how thoughtful people have been," she said, adding that a key concern was "to engage students first."

Think Tank discussions have already impacted some of Health Services' programming -- Health Services recently combined funding from the Women's Center and athletics programs to educate about alcohol and sexual assault.

"[Athletics programs are] a really strong community of student leaders," Abels said, with a considerable "responsibility to the culture and environment here."