“When I was a senior tutor in Leverett House [in 1978], we were able to, in addition to serving sodas and lemonade, serve wine and beer,” Dingman says.

“We seldom found ourselves aware that people were abusing [alcohol],” he adds.

Once drinking became illegal for 18- and 19-year-olds, Dingman says fewer students reached out to proctors or tutors as a source of help.

“Drinking that is happening underground has its risks, because students regrettably refuse to seek help,” Dingman says.

TODAY’S POLICIES

Today, the College alcohol policy distinguishes between private events, House Committee and House events, and large House events, and specifies particular rules pertaining to each event type.

With the exception of private events in Houses, all parties that serve alcohol must procure HoCo members or a Beverage Authorization Team (BAT) that checks IDs at the entrance to ensure that only students who are of age may drink.

Consumption of alcohol is not allowed in “public spaces except during authorized parties when an approved carding mechanism is in place.”

Dingman says he has noticed that students who want to socialize with alcohol often seek entertainment off campus—that is, in places like final clubs.

“That being said, there still are a large number of our students who choose not to drink,” he says. “Our challenge is to provide opportunity for them to enjoy and relax themselves where alcohol is not the centerpiece.”

—Staff writer Jane Seo can be reached at janeseo@college.harvard.edu.