The Rice Thresher, Vol. 98, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, January 21, 2011 Page: 3 of 16
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Op-Ed
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Rice University alcohol policy review: spring 2011
The Rice University alcohol policy and the future of its enforcement seems to be in question after a semester of unparalleled alcohol abuse this past fall. Something needs to be done, and ulti-
mately it falls on everyone from students to staff to get together and act appropriately. Drastic action could jeopardize the essence of this university, but lack of response by students and adminis-
trators could result in unprecedented tragedy. This is the time to take notice, react and respond to a university issue that has the rare distinction of being universally relevant. This series of letters
represents the collectivity of the burden and the numerous components that this crisis entails.
Ryan Gupta
Dear administration,
Work hard, play hard. That's what
you told me this place was about when
I was a senior in high school, and up to
now, you've kept your promise. Rice has
arguably the best academic-party bal-
ance in the country. The prestigious de-
gree at the end of the four years means
as much as the incredible four years we
spent earning that degree. Coming from
Rice, we are smarter and have more fun
than our peers at other universities.
That's what makes Rice special.
I am not imploring you to not dras-
ticaly alter the current alcohol policy at
status quo because it is in the best short-
term and long-term interest of the uni-
versity. If Rice's alcohol policy changes,
or its enforcement is altered significantly
to create a less-lenient drinking culture,
the impacts will be devastating.
In the short term, drinking will
move predominantly off campus. This
move leaves students much more vul-
nerable to crime and Houston Police
run-ins than if we were contained to
campus once we started partying as is
the case now. Furthermore, drunk driv-
ing, a problem that is currently a virtual
non-factor at Rice, would undoubtedly
escalate. In cases of alcohol abuse oil
campus, students would simply no', fee!
comfortable calling EMS. Given the op-
tion to suck it up and deal with the ex
cess alcohol or call for help and risk be
ing fined or arrested, it seems unlikely
that EMS will receive the sar. ie volume
of calls it does now.
The long-term implications are
even more devastating. As it be-
comes apparent that alcohol will
not be tolerated openly on campus,
students will become less enamored
with their on-campus lodging. Over
the course of a few years, the 80 percent
of students who live on campus will
steadily decrease. Ultimately this loss
equals lost revenue for Housing and
Dining, a loss that is especially trouble-
some after taking into account the re-
cent large housing additions in the form
of Duncan and McMurtry Colleges. Fur-
thermore, the exodus of students from
on-campus housing will undermine the
crux of the residential college system.
Even worse, upperclassmen-lower-
classmen divide would grow steadily as
on-campus housing becomes predomi-
nantly freshmen-filled.
As the residential college system
weakens and the presence of on-cam-
pus partying decreases, the appeal of
Rice to prospective students will quick-
ly diminish as it picks up an "all work,
no play" reputation. As prospective stu-
dents begin to shun Rice, the rankings
of our prestigious university will begin
an inevitable fall. Alumni, angry about
the new alcohol policy and infuriated
about the diminishing ranking of their
alma mater, would quickly begin pull-
ing their donations to the university.
Sound a little too extreme? Is it
possible that the university is affected
on such a large-scale by such a rela-
tively small change? The answer is a
resounding yes. The only assumption
I have made is that the establishment
of a new alcohol policy would limit the
consumption and possession of alco-
hol on campus. The drastic results are
merely a logical progression of this hy-
pothetical policy. The key point is that
this change would affect drinkers and
non-drinkers, graduate students and
undergraduate students, staff and fac-
ulty equally. If the betterment of Rice
is in your best interest, then a revised
alcohol policy is not.
It is imperative that, as Rice arrives
at these crossroads, we make an in-
formed and collective decision. While
the recent onset of excessive drinking
requires attention, the matter should be
addressed in specific ways; everything
from increased O-Week alcohol educa-
tion to imposing party guidelines (such
as posting alcohol content of punch on
the front of the coolers). This is college,
and students will drink. The only ques-
tion is whether you want your students
to do it in the safe confines of the hedg-
es where an overarching culture of care
is present.
Dear RUPD,
As a student body, we are for-
tunate to have a department dedi-
cated to preserving our safety and
well-being; however, over the past
semester or so, I hold the opinion
that RUPD has become less nurtur-
ing and more aggressive. My expec-
tation is that RUPD maintains the
rules and policies of the university
with reason and consistency.
In requesting that RUPD use rea-
son, I simply mean that RUPD of-
ficers should not aggressively seek
to dole out violations, but only act
when necessary, such as in cases of
public disturbances. RUPD should
not attempt to actively seek out un-
derage drinkers, because this shifts
RUPD's role from one that keeps
students safe to one that serves as a
strict disciplinarian. I implore that
you focus on law enforcement in sit-
Dear students,
Pull it together. Maybe the fresh-
man class has been crazier than in
past years, maybe the Four Lokos
were as loco as advertised, or may-
be James Tour's organic chemistry
class was just that stressful. But
regardless, the amount of irrespon-
sible drinking this past semester
was unacceptable. EMS calls have
increased two fold (as have trans-
port of students to local hospitals)
and the necessity for RUPD involve-
ment has also gone up; the alco-
hol policy crackdowns that RUPD
and the administration would like
to impose are a byproduct of our
carelessness. And while an alcohol
policy revision would be disastrous
for this university, it is understand-
able why the review is being con-
templated.
When your awkward Owl
Days prospie asks you what's
so great about Rice, nine times
out of 10, your answer will in
elude a discussion about the resi-
dential colleges (and their likeli-
ness to Hogwarts). The glamour
of the residential colleges is that
uations that are actually dangerous,
as opposed to singling out individu-
als who may have broken policy but
are not endangering themselves or
anyone else around them. If there is
no need to enter a suite or a room, it
should not be done.
RUPD entering a suite, unpro-
voked confiscating alcohol and
disallowing students to sleep in
the common room are all actions I
personally experienced on Jan. 14
at Duncan College. To make mat-
ters worse, the RUPD presence that
evening was triggered by EMS calls
— something we were promised
would not happen. This sort of ac-
tion simply undermines students'
respect for RUPD.
Another troubling aspect is
that RUPD lacks consistency. An
RUPD officer's action when see-
ing an intoxicated minor can
range from demanding identi-
you have the unique opportunity
to live, study and party with your
friends over your four years at Rice.
This system has proved its worth
through history by providing an
environment in which students go
to and return from parties togeth-
er, ensuring that students are not
forced to care for themselves when
drunk. This, in addition to the gen-
eral culture of care and responsibil-
ity at Rice, has allowed the admin-
istration to provide one of the most
lax alcohol policies among Ameri-
can universities. Up until now.
As it stands, we're in danger of
ruining it for ourselves, and if we
can't quickly prove that we deserve
the current policy, it will be altered.
And don't underestimate how much
that sort of action will change Rice
both today and tomorrow.
Make good decisions and help
those around you make good deci-
sions. Rice is defined by this unique
willingness to help those around
us; reflect this philosophy on your
Friday and Saturday nights.
Rice also prides itself on student
leadership and inititative. We have
an entire judicial system estab-
cation and issuing public in-
toxication violations to amicably
offering a ride back to the student's
college. As students, should we
feel comfortable approaching an
officer or should we turn the other
direction? Should we ask for a ride
back to our college if we need one
or should we keep our heads down
and try to not attract attention?
Perhaps it's the influx of new offi-
cers or a lack of standardized pro-
tocol. Either way, the student body
would appreciate a firmer outline
of RUPD's actions.
RUPD had the most effec-
tive working relationship with
students when they intervened
in critical situations, but re-
mained on the sidelines when it
was most appropriate. I certainly
hope that the mutual respect is
soon restored between students
and RUPD.
lished to deal with problems that
arise during parties, so don't hesi-
tate in contacting the chief justice
if necessary.
Finally, try not to be the guy that
leaves his dinner in the stairwell
doorway. The fact that you killed
that handle is suddenly a lot less
impressive once your face is in a
toilet bowl. There is no judgment
passed in becoming too intoxicat-
ed; a lot of us have been there be-
fore. But I am now emphasizing a
new concept: By drinking too much
and requiring the care of EMS or the
attention of RUPD, you are no lon-
ger just ruining your night, but po-
tentially ruining the future nights
of every single undergraduate to
pass through this university. If
you don't act responsibly for your-
self, do it for the rest of us; other-
wise the Harvard of the South may
quickly become the new University
of Chicago.
Sincerely,
Ryan Gupta
Baker College sophomore
Thresher opinions editor
Recent RUPD activity should be exceptions of past, not future precedent
Everyone may have a different reaction when some-
one yells "Cops!" at a party. Some may run (not recom-
mended, you will just go to jail tired), some may hide
and some may not be in a state to take any action. However,
the common ground is that everybody knows the police are
present. This was not the case around 3 or 4 a.m. on Jan 15.
At Duncan College, RUPD officers entered two suites com-
pletely unannounced and confiscated any and all alcohol.
Admittedly, one of these suites is occupied by underage
students, but there are 21-year-old students in the other.
There were also rumors of similar incidents at other colleges
that night.
Drayton Thomas
This is cause for concern for several reasons. During
O-Week, I specifically remember an RUPD officer telling a
room full of new students that they would not be going into
rooms in the above manner. Of course, this incident did not
start by the police simply patrolling the halls everywhere.
The reason for RUPD's presence at Duncan was due to two
alcohol-related EMS calls. The suites that were raided were
in no way involved with the alcohol consumed that led to
these calls. The manner is also troublesome. More so, how-
ever, is that this action was provoked by EMS calls. We know
that the person who calls EMS does not get in trouble, and
that is why he or she does not hesitate. But if he or she fears
that his or her friends down the hall may be reprimanded,
then an element of hesitation arises. Action by the police
should never derive from a call to EMS. What Rice needs is
a good faith contract between RUPD and the student body
that will always be upheld.
At this point I need to make a bit of a disclaimer. While
I am not pleased with these events, I still think RUPD is a
well-run, respectable police force. I feel safe on campus be-
cause of them, and I understand that they have a job to do.
We have it better than a lot of other schools.
My advice to RUPD and the administration is to tread
carefully when it comes to any revisions in the alcohol pol-
icy. The KTRU sale was a huge controversy, but I can con-
fidently say that a campus-wide alcohol debacle would be
larger and more divisive. I am glad that Dean of Undergrad-
uates John Hutchinson is trying to create open discussion
about the policy, and it must remain open.
The aforementioned good faith contract is a good goal,
but it obviously needs to be a two-way street. We have ex-
pectations of the administration and the police here, and
so it is only fair that they expect things from us. Students,
control the amount you drink. When you are in need of EMS,
you are way past the point of having fun. I have woken up
plenty of times and hated myself for drinking too much the
previous night. I have never woken up in the morning hating
myself for not having had enough to drink.
Here are a few practical suggestions as to how we can
avoid excessive intoxication. First, when making certain
drinks, such as jello shots or punch, do not dump random
crap in the cooler. Notice what is going in, and then clearly
label how strong the mixture is. An assertive wingman (in
some cases more than one) is essential. Telling a drunk
person to stop drinking rarely works. Take the cup out of
your friend's hand if he has had too much and be verbally
abusive if you have to. While we can rely on friends, it is re-
quired that we can also rely on ourselves. Know your limit;
do not drink on an empty stomach; space out your drinks.
Alcohol does not affect you immediately, but it can wreck
your whole life instantly. If you have trouble sticking to /our
limit, then be sure to count your drinks and if necessary,
physically write it down somewhere.
U
The KTRU sale was a huge con-
troversy, but I can confidently
say that a campus-wide alcohol
debacle would be larger and
more divisive.
The administration and RUPD need to maintain what
Rice has been before this last weekend, and the students
need to tone down the drinking. Having two hands and only
one mouth is not a drinking problem, but making and re-
peating mistakes is. You made the choice to read this ar-
ticle, and you can also make the choice to be a safer partier.
Next time you go out, I hope you remember to be safe, and
therefore remember it in the morning.
Drayton Thomas
Duncan College freshman
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Wilde, Anna & Rutenberg, Josh. The Rice Thresher, Vol. 98, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, January 21, 2011, newspaper, January 21, 2011; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth398484/m1/3/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.