Crafts said that in many cases involving alcohol, treatment may be a better course of action than punishment.
Harvard officials have expressed similar sentiments. In drafting Harvard's new policy, Dean of the College L. Fred Jewett '57 said he was concerned that the threat of punishment by the College might discourage students from seeking help.
"We don't want to do anything that would prevent anyone from getting help," he said.
Jewett said intoxicated students in need of treatment at University Health Services will not face disciplinary action, even if brought in for treatment by police.
"We would try not to view that as a disciplinary case," he said. "For drinking, we tend to deal with it as a medical problem if it comes to us on a medical basis."
But the dean said intoxicated students may face disciplinary action for other acts they commit while intoxicated.