Alcohol Task Force makes party policy recommendations

Jen Dixon Contributing Editor

Six students and 12 staff and administrators met in the Joss parlor on Monday, April 25 in the last parlor talk of the semester. The focus of this discussion, which was part of a series sponsored by the Dean of the College division, was drug and alcohol policy. Student representatives from Emergency Medical Services were present, as were Dean of the College J.J. Jackson, Associate Dean of the College Raymon Parker, Director of Health Education Michelle Soucy, and Director of Security Don Marsala.

The discussion began with a comment made by Ben Naidus ’05, who questioned whether or not the Vassar party scene had changed in his four years at the College. A change in the enforcement of alcohol policies, according to Naidus, has resulted in the domination of campus social life by smaller, more exclusive gatherings. A preference for small registered parties rather than larger, more open ones, according to Naidus, “creates this frat-like atmosphere.”

Director of Psychological Services Sylvia Balderamma drew attention to a recent decrease in the number of intoxicated students admitted to Baldwin as an indication that this change may not be a bad thing.

The possibility was also raised by Federico Delgado ’06 that upperclassmen feel a disconnect from freshmen and sophomores each year.

Parker pointed to a “high level of satisfaction” among the freshman and sophomore classes as a result of the diversity of events planned by students and student-run organizations.

The Drug and Alcohol policy parlor discussion was organized as a result of a private party section of an Alcohol Task Force report approved by the Committee on College Life on April 13.

Under the recommendations of the Alcohol Task Force, private parties taking place inside campus apartments will be allowed a maximum of 25 guests until the capacity is evaluated. Private parties taking place in residence hall MPRs will be allowed a maximum of 50 guests.

All outdoor private parties are limited to a maximum of 50 people with a ratio of one host to 25 people. The number of parties occurring in the apartments on a given night will be limited.

The Town Houses will be allowed one party per block per night, the Terrace Apartments will be allowed three parties per night, and South Commons will be allowed one party per night.

Kegs will still be allowed, at a quarter keg per 25 of-age guests. Security will periodically stop by to monitor the party, and hosts will be held accountable for any underage drinking or other violations.

The College’s attorney will review changes to Drug and Alcohol Policy before making these changes official.