Mini-grants to help student groups finance alcohol-free parties show the good intentions of Health Services, but are unlikely to have much of an effect on campus drinking culture. Not only are these events unlikely to draw the crowds that house or fraternity parties will, but students will continue drinking nevertheless.
The popularity of alcohol can be seen in the fact that TEMS still received alcohol-related calls during orientation week, despite there being no fraternity parties held. College often presents an opportunity to drink with greater freedom, especially to freshmen. Drinking on campus means not having to nurse a hangover with parents' observing - or even having to know.
Director of Drug and Alcohol Education Margot Abels is right to point out that there are few non-alcoholic options to students. But those that already do exist are not well attended. Parties held by student groups will likely attract its members to attend, and few others. If a student group wants to hold a large event, alcohol is expected to be there. Groups would have to toe the fine line between advocating non-alcoholic socializing and trying to bring in enough people to justify a $300 mini-grant.
Not only that, but these events are unlikely to be held at the same time as parties, late-night weekend nights. Typically, such events occur earlier in the evening, allowing students time to go out to parties with alcohol afterwards.
Additionally, the mini-grant program looks to only co-fund 10 to 12 events a year. While Health Services can't be expected to fund a social event every weekend, the small number is unlikely to put a dent in the social calendar.
It's just not in the mindset of a Tufts student to stay sober when going out. The prevailing campus culture glorifies drunken parties where participants stumble home in the wee hours of the morning. No amount of pizza parties or movie nights will change that.
Instead, Health Services should direct the money from its mini-grants to advocating responsible drinking. Students need to learn how to drink in moderation so that fun can be had without putting anyone's health in danger. Instead, students oscillate between no alcohol and drinking until they pass out. While drinking in excess needs to be stopped, cutting off alcohol completely is only ignoring the problem.
The Drug and Alcohol Program will hopefully keep this in mind with their study on college alcohol and drug use. It is necessary for Health Services to make sure Tufts students are not putting themselves in danger with their drinking habits. But simply funding a few pizza parties throughout the year will not make a drastic change.
