January 26, 2012
Dean Nancy Thompson recently sent out an email detailing several frightening incidents
that occurred this past weekend, all of which likely arose as a result of irresponsible alcohol
consumption. Such incidents highlight the alcohol-related problems facing Hamilton’s
community that will be discussed in the town hall meeting this Saturday. Although alcohol
consumption will probably be the major topic of discussion in the meeting, we would like to
stress that these incidents are ultimately reflective not only of careless partying, but of deeper
issues underlying the campus culture. A solution to the drinking problem must therefore address
much more than alcohol, but rather the nature of Hamilton’s culture and community.
To effectively address Hamilton’s drinking culture, the administration will have to address
students’ “all or nothing” mindset to drinking. As such, the administration should be doing
what it can to encourage a healthier attitude towards alcohol within our community. Why
is it, for example, that all-campus events including alcohol are solely late-night keg parties,
which don’t cater to students with less extreme drinking habits? Why not encourage legal consumption
of alcohol in a safer environment, providing some sort of middle ground between
the current alcohol-free Late Nites and alcohol-steeped parties in social spaces? Thursday’s
Senior Pub Nights are not known for ending in an EMT call, undoubtedly because students
are drinking socially and responsibly. Promoting additional events, such as watching sports
with beer, wine and cheese tastings, or cocktail parties, that could add variety to the current
drinking events, would help to discourage an immediate association of alcohol with “getting
wasted.”
Additionally, we encourage the administration rethink some of the actions they’ve taken
in the past. For example, the hard-alcohol ban has been laughably unsuccessful in removing
hard alcohol from our campus or in reducing the number of alcohol-related hospitalizations.
The ban has only pressured students to consume their hard alcohol in the “safety” of their
rooms, often in dangerous binges. We understand the intentions behind the ban, but we need
to reinvestigate the method.
A rethinking of alcohol education during orientation is also necessary. Last year’s addition
of an alcohol-related discussion between first years and upperclassmen was a meaningful
first step. Few first years, however, are likely to feel comfortable asking questions about
alcohol consumption in an auditorium filled with their peers. They would be far more likely
to open up and learn more in a small, seminar-style group setting. Such candid discussion
would undoubtedly result in a more transparent relationship with alcohol, encouraging students’
trust in and respect for their peers and community.
Going into the discussion this Saturday, we hope that both students and administrators
will keep in mind that the issue we address is deeper than just a drinking problem - we must
scrutinize the culture of the College and the past decisions that have been made regarding alcohol.
To keep such issues prevalent in campus conversation, we suggest that Dean Thompson
continue to send out weekly emails documenting alcohol-related incidents. Such emails illuminate
the influence such incidents have on the campus as a whole and provide perspective
and talking points regarding Hamilton’s drinking culture. Through continued discussion, we
can become more mindful of the consequences of our actions on those around us and take it
upon ourselves to encourage our peers who are making mistakes to learn from them.