RCAs and alcohol discussed by USG

The USG Senate discussed the University's revised alcohol policy for the first time at a public meeting last night. Officers expressed differing opinions about the policy and what it could mean for students' lives and safety.

USG president Rob Biederman '08 said he has two concerns about the policy: its implications for student safety and RCA-advisee relationships. "We want to make sure that it doesn't get to the situation that going to your RCA ignites some element of the disciplinary process," he said.

Biederman discussed the University-wide email he sent to students asking for opinions on the guidelines, saying that he has received about 200 emails, most in opposition to the changes. He believes the majority of the viewpoints expressed were well defended and that he hopes to include them in the discussion he plans to have with administrators on Tuesday.

The administration, Biederman said, views the alcohol policy "currently like a draft, [and] they are open to revision."

U-Council chair Sarah Langberg '09 countered by noting that students with alcohol poisoning generally consume most of their alcohol in their dorms. The policy's aim is to reduce this type of drinking, and "it doesn't mean that people will be in trouble, it just means that they will be safer," she said.

Some members expressed concern over lack of USG involvement in the policy revision.

U-Councilor Matt Field '08 said he thought "an email should have been sent out [to the USG]; it sort of undermines us as a student representative body if we have no say."

But USG vice president Josh Weinstein '09 characterized the policy as "a huge opportunity for the USG as a whole." By taking student concerns about the policy directly to the administration, he said he hopes to improve the reputation of student government and "make the USG really the voice of the students."

The Senate also discussed the report on underrepresentation of Latinos on campus released by the Latino Coalition in September. Members of the coalition went to the meeting asking for the USG's support in implementing some of the recommendations. The report included several suggestions for improving representation, including developing a Latino studies program and developing a mentoring program for Latino students.

Victoria Laws '08, a representative of the coalition, asked for the appointment of "a point person ... someone [designated] as a liaison between the USG and the coalition."

She said that the Latino Coalition is not an official student group and would have to rely heavily on USG funding. She compared their situation to that of LAMP, a mentoring program for African-American students. LAMP, rather than being its own organization, is part of the Black Student Union.

Several funding solutions were discussed, including incorporating Latino mentoring into the residential colleges, which could offer funding, or having the Latino Coalition officially recognized.

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Biederman also expressed his concerns about diversity in the USG. "Traditionally, not many Latino students are represented in the USG," he said, encouraging Latino students to run for office.

He cited the upcoming elections and suggested "getting people who are already [minority] leaders to become senators."

He also supported the creation of a USG diversity chair to represent minority interests.

The Information Technology Committee discussed updates to the Point website, and members were reminded that the deadline for election petitions is Wednesday at noon.