I write this in response to what is, at the current time, an unresolved issue. Though there has been no official statement from the college administration (only the Student Assembly minutes), I have chosen to voice my opinion on this matter before it becomes a taboo subject of over analysis.
As a student abroad in Washington, DC, I am late to receive any knowledge about on-campus news that is not forwarded through the all campus listserv. I was, however, notified yesterday evening by a variety of sources on the hill that the administration held a meeting with Greek organization presidents to discuss the cancellation of the annual Class and Charter Day celebrations that take place at the Griffin Road field. Before I go any further I wish to clarify that this statement does not look to offend, or in many cases, defend any of the actions that take place on Class and Charter Day. Instead, this statement endeavors to respectfully voice an alternate view to the administration and point out an inconsistency in the administration’s decision.
It would be foolish to believe the Class and Charter Day celebrations at Griffin Road are not a great area of concern for the administration each year. Hundreds of students congregate on the grassy area behind the apartments for a large celebration of the end of the year before the pressure filled exam week. This celebration hinges upon the consumption of alcohol and binge drinking is a regular occurrence on this afternoon. No student would debate these facts. However, the reality of the situation is that this event has become a highly anticipated tradition revered by students. It is an event that is celebrated by students from nearly all social circles and is one of the only transitions on campus to transcend social boundaries. I am sure the administration realizes this, however, I contend they do not realize the extent of importance this event holds with the student body. With this in mind, I believe they may not understand the negative and effects that this decision will have in trying to prevent binge drinking at Hamilton.
Hamilton College is currently a signatory of the Amethyst Initiative, a statement that urges, "It's time to rethink the drinking age". While this initiative has no direct correlation with the Class and Charter celebration, the decision to cancel the G-Road event contradicts the very reasoning that fuels the Amethyst Initiative. John McCardell, President Emeritus of Middlebury College and Founder of ‘Choose Responsibility is one of the founding partners behind the initiative. In a recent article McCardell explains the reasonsing behind this initiative to rethink the drinking age. He asserts,
“It doesn’t stop drinking by young adults but drivers it underground where it can’t be controlled and creates problems such as rapid heavy drinking (so-called ‘binge drinking’). He says that ‘drinking that is not out in the open, drinking that is unsupervised, drinking that we can pretend isn’t taking place, is drinking that is drinking that is dangerous, drinking that is putting both young adults and other innocent people at greater risk.”’
The cancellation of the Class and Charter Day celebration at G-Road directly violates this type of thinking. While heavy drinking does occur at G-Road, this drinking is in the open and, to an extent, is supervised by Campus Safety officers in the nearby region. While any student would admit it is not the best situation for the administration, these students would also admit that the Class and Charter festivities would not simply go away with these sanctions. Students, who feel they have been robbed of a fun and meaningful tradition, may look to act out against the administration and perhaps engage in activities that are harmful to not only the student body, but to themselves and the administration. The results of this sanction would most likely result in more ‘underground’ drinking, which, could prove to be far more dangerous than the Class and Charter celebrations as they currently stand. There is, too, the consideration of the Freshman class, who will most likely try to participate in this celebration for the first time from their dorm rooms, where binge drinking is more dangerous and students are less likely to request help from administrative officials.
While the administration’s reasoning is not unfathomable, it has the potential to be more problematic than simply letting this tradition continue. I hope the administration has taken this all into thoughtful consideration before making this decision. If not, the consequences of this decision could be more harmful than anticipated. As a student, I suggest that if the administration is to cancel the G-Road celebrations that they provide the students with an agreeable alternative. This could include, possibly, moving the celebration to Minor Field, where students could celebrate out in the open with their peers without consequence of wandering or trespassing into private property.
As a student abroad in Washington, DC, I am late to receive any knowledge about on-campus news that is not forwarded through the all campus listserv. I was, however, notified yesterday evening by a variety of sources on the hill that the administration held a meeting with Greek organization presidents to discuss the cancellation of the annual Class and Charter Day celebrations that take place at the Griffin Road field. Before I go any further I wish to clarify that this statement does not look to offend, or in many cases, defend any of the actions that take place on Class and Charter Day. Instead, this statement endeavors to respectfully voice an alternate view to the administration and point out an inconsistency in the administration’s decision.
It would be foolish to believe the Class and Charter Day celebrations at Griffin Road are not a great area of concern for the administration each year. Hundreds of students congregate on the grassy area behind the apartments for a large celebration of the end of the year before the pressure filled exam week. This celebration hinges upon the consumption of alcohol and binge drinking is a regular occurrence on this afternoon. No student would debate these facts. However, the reality of the situation is that this event has become a highly anticipated tradition revered by students. It is an event that is celebrated by students from nearly all social circles and is one of the only transitions on campus to transcend social boundaries. I am sure the administration realizes this, however, I contend they do not realize the extent of importance this event holds with the student body. With this in mind, I believe they may not understand the negative and effects that this decision will have in trying to prevent binge drinking at Hamilton.
Hamilton College is currently a signatory of the Amethyst Initiative, a statement that urges, "It's time to rethink the drinking age". While this initiative has no direct correlation with the Class and Charter celebration, the decision to cancel the G-Road event contradicts the very reasoning that fuels the Amethyst Initiative. John McCardell, President Emeritus of Middlebury College and Founder of ‘Choose Responsibility is one of the founding partners behind the initiative. In a recent article McCardell explains the reasonsing behind this initiative to rethink the drinking age. He asserts,
“It doesn’t stop drinking by young adults but drivers it underground where it can’t be controlled and creates problems such as rapid heavy drinking (so-called ‘binge drinking’). He says that ‘drinking that is not out in the open, drinking that is unsupervised, drinking that we can pretend isn’t taking place, is drinking that is drinking that is dangerous, drinking that is putting both young adults and other innocent people at greater risk.”’
The cancellation of the Class and Charter Day celebration at G-Road directly violates this type of thinking. While heavy drinking does occur at G-Road, this drinking is in the open and, to an extent, is supervised by Campus Safety officers in the nearby region. While any student would admit it is not the best situation for the administration, these students would also admit that the Class and Charter festivities would not simply go away with these sanctions. Students, who feel they have been robbed of a fun and meaningful tradition, may look to act out against the administration and perhaps engage in activities that are harmful to not only the student body, but to themselves and the administration. The results of this sanction would most likely result in more ‘underground’ drinking, which, could prove to be far more dangerous than the Class and Charter celebrations as they currently stand. There is, too, the consideration of the Freshman class, who will most likely try to participate in this celebration for the first time from their dorm rooms, where binge drinking is more dangerous and students are less likely to request help from administrative officials.
While the administration’s reasoning is not unfathomable, it has the potential to be more problematic than simply letting this tradition continue. I hope the administration has taken this all into thoughtful consideration before making this decision. If not, the consequences of this decision could be more harmful than anticipated. As a student, I suggest that if the administration is to cancel the G-Road celebrations that they provide the students with an agreeable alternative. This could include, possibly, moving the celebration to Minor Field, where students could celebrate out in the open with their peers without consequence of wandering or trespassing into private property.
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