"The government wants better compliance from the colleges all over the United States that seem to have been islands where internal rules were observed rather than federal rules," Liem says. "Any gathering that serves alcohol will have to be supervised more closely."

But Lowell House Master William H. Bossert '59 says he has not detected any change in the alcohol policy.

"Dean Lewis is very concerned about this problem and perhaps he has stated his concerns publicly more than [former Dean of the College L. Fred Jewett '57]." Bossert says.

Bossert says some students' perception that the alcohol policy is suddenly harsher can be attributed to its more visible treatment by the College.

"You are seeing a more outward statement of the policy," Bossert says. "The law is the law and we are trying to live within the law.... I don't think we've ever tried not to."

Evaluating the Policy

Mather House Allston Burr Senior Tutor Mary K. Peckham says house masters and senior tutors have been working to formulate more consistent policies between the individual houses.

"We are making an effort to be somewhat more consistent, and I guess in the student's mind that probably translates into more harsh," Peckham says.

For example, Peckham says, the houses hope to formulate a more consistent policy regarding "stein clubs."

"Everyone is striving for consistency and humanity in this," Peckham says. "It's not a desire to ruin students' social life, but to be in compliance with the law and to encourage safe socializing on campus."

Alcohol policy for first years is administered only through the Freshman Dean's Office.

"In the Yard, the policy has always been the same since the change in the legal drinking age," Nathans writes.

Crime and Punishment

Some students say the College's enforcement of the alcohol policy, while in compliance with the state law, is not realistic.

"The problem with this administration is that they have no concept of what goes on at this school," says a junior. "It appears to me that their main concern is saving their name...doing everything in the name of Harvard."