Lewis says it is not surprising that administrators sometimes find out if a student goes to UHS for an alcohol-related illness. But this is not necessarily undesirable, he writes in an e-mail, as it allows administrators to intervene if the incident is symptomatic of a larger problem.

"Though of course no one is happy when students publicly embarrass themselves, I am not sure that it is a bad thing when word gets around--we may be able to intervene to get a student some counseling help," he writes. "College is not a bad place to learn that one's standing in the community can be affected by one's drinking behavior."

Besides, Lewis says, the College also promises that students will not be disciplined by the College's Administrative Board when they seek medical attention for alcohol-related illnesses--even if administrators find out.

Ill Communication

If nothing else, a significant portion of the campus is confused about an alcohol policy that promises confidentiality at UHS in some matters--but not in others.

Nearly 50 percent of undergraduates believe that senior tutors or assistant deans will not find out if they seek medical treatment at UHS, even though it is UHS policy to always inform administrators when a student is admitted to Stillman Infirmary or any other hospital.

And more than a quarter of the undergraduate population believes that a student brought to UHS for an alcohol-related illness is "likely" or "very likely" to be disciplined by college administrators.

It is unclear how well UHS policy is understood by those who must enforce it on a day-to-day basis.