Letters to the Editor | More careful consideration of drug policy would allay concerns

Although I have only had a chance to briefly read over the Vassar Student Association (VSA) open letter, I get the feeling that the VSA’s concerns stem from an apparent discrepancy between what the Athletics Department representatives say and what the policy says. Let me emphasize that although the education and drug testing policy is descriptive, it is meant to serve also as a legal document. As in any legal document, the legal jargon is inevitably vague. Therefore it is necessary not only to take into consideration the document as part of Department policy, but also how those administering the policy present it. By Jeff Carter, Head Athletic Trainer and chair of the drug testing committee, engaging in candid dialogue with every student-athlete, he hopes to clarify any ambiguities and address any questions that may arise from interpretation of policy.
Additionally, there needs to be something said about precedence. A concern of the VSA is that the policy has given leg room for new administrators to tighten restrictions in later years if someone as understanding as Carter is not in charge. The Athletics Department plans to keep the precedence of the general ethos at Vassar of mutual respect between administration and students, regardless of who is in charge. The policy under the guidance of Carter plans to establish a new precedence on how to implement and utilize the policy to create a safe and trusting atmosphere within the Athletic Department.

If that respect does not continue after the policy is implemented, from either the administrators or from the students, I do not believe that Vassar will let that stand. Coaches, administrators, and athletes value their privacy as well as the respect we all have for one another; if the drug testing policy seriously alters this atmosphere of trust and respect, we will re-address it and find a solution. This policy was created with the option of amending it, and if a problem arises, the Athletics Department will hold an open house to address concerns.

I believe that the athletic trainers’ number one priority it to keep us healthy and safe. Our athletic trainers have a hard enough time trying to tend to the needs of around 450 student-athletes, and if Carter thinks this will help him do his job better and keep us safer, we must take that into consideration. Therefore, I am not willing to write off a drug testing policy simply as a way to trap or control student athletes. Carter and the Athletics Department are not trying to wreck student-athletes’ weekends, nor will they with this policy. Again, the impression I have received is that this policy will in fact free up the trainers to be able to do their job better.

I think a great thing about Vassar is that input is more than welcome, and I hope and believe that this is the case with this drug and education policy. The more input throughout this process, the better. The drug testing committee can take all voices into account to help make this policy better. The point of such groups is to help foster a positive environment for all of the students, administrators and coaches that work or play within the Athletics Department. The last thing Director of Athletics and Physical Education Sharon Beverly, Carter, or the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) want to do is contribute an environment of us versus them. Please consider this policy carefully and with an open mind before you jump to a conclusion.

—Christine Lewis ’08, SAAC President