Graphic by Steve White
NYU introduced the Senior House this year as a residence hall with more relaxed rules for drinking. But administrators said that in other dorms they won't waver from the existing rules for dealing with underage students found intoxicated or in possession of alcohol.
The current alcohol policy requires that resident assistants respond to these types of situations immediately and then submit an incident report, after which students are scheduled for individual meetings where they can present their side of the story.
Punishments for alcohol violations vary. According to Craig Jolley, NYU's director of residential life, typical lower-level sanctions include written warnings, probations and referrals to NYU's Informed Choices educational course. On the other end of the spectrum, students can receive a referral to an individual health assessment or face removal from residential housing.
"When we meet with a student about an alleged violation of the alcohol policy, our approach is firmly rooted in a concern for that student's health and well-being," Jolley said. "Our goal is to educate and help the student in making better choices."
Because the objective of the alcohol policy is educational, Jolley said NYU allows room for flexibility. Sanctions are handed down with individual circumstances and prior disciplinary records kept in mind.
Zoe Ragouzeos, director of wellness and crisis response services at the Student Health Center, said most students who receive alcohol violations are assigned health interventions as their sanction. This includes the Informed Choices workshop or a three-session Substance Assessment Feedback and Evaluation program conducted by counselors at the Student Health Center.
"These are programs that take a harm-reduction approach to the issue and are designed to teach students to think about their health and safety when deciding when — and if — to use substances," she said.
Perry Halkitis, associate dean for research and doctoral studies and professor of applied psychology and public health, thinks NYU's alcohol policy coupled with the services offered at the Student Health Center effectively protect students and the community from the dangers of alcohol.
He said students' brains are still developing connections during college, and drinking in college could have lasting negative consequences. Research also shows binge drinking in college leads to alcohol abuse and addiction later in life.
Halkitis stressed the effectiveness of NYU's approach to disciplining students because it recognizes the importance of education and counseling.
"Violations and sanctions in the form of disciplinary actions will not work for all; health interventions are needed to help individuals cope with the factors that may lead them to abuse of alcohol," he said.
Tisch sophomore Sudi Green said she thinks there are inconsistencies with the enforcement of NYU's alcohol policy. In her experience, some RAs are more relaxed about policy enforcement than others.
At Vassar College, student residence hall mentors are not called RAs but "student fellows"; only Vassar security guards can report students for underage drinking.
Laura Kinter, a sophomore student fellow, said she does not enforce Vassar's "relatively lax alcohol policy" at all and could actually be penalized for trying to enforce it because she does not serve as an authority figure, but as a mentor and guide.
Despite differing accounts of how incident reports and alcohol violations play out and continued debates on its effectiveness, NYU's alcohol policy is consistent with state law and will remain unchanged.
"We are always monitoring student behavior and considering new ways to educate our students, respond to concerns and intervene when necessary," Jolley said.
