Social houses at Middlebury

<p>You have got to be working for the administration.^^^^Easy pot shots?</p>

<p>Actually, I have tried to engage the administration on some of these issues and have found the attitude that I don’t know nothin’ to be the general response. I have also, in writing, had my own morals criticized by the administration. That’s where the “self-righteous” thing comes from.</p>

<p>At any rate, if the regular police want to come and arrest Midd students, let them. I am not in favor of underage drinking. I am physician who works in private practice and hospitals. I have managed to raise 2 children thru public schools smart and responsible enough to attend Midd. They both have jobs and contribute to their expenses. They are neither alcoholics, nor drug addicts(or users) and treat women well.How the Midd administration has a right to imply my morals and parenting abilities are off is beyond me.</p>

<p>That’s part of the stuff I didn’t post before.</p>

<p>I have a disagreement with the current Midd administration.I can’t imagine it’s likely to make any difference in campus policy.Posting about it is a futile exercise. But it does make me feel a bit better.Plus it makes for exciting reading!</p>

<p>There is always more than one way to skin a cat. I tend to rely on actual scientific data to solve behavior problems in my patients. I suggest the Midd administration do so as well. I bet there is plenty of drinking in those “dry” dorms at UVM. This is what happens when fear of liability overwhelms common sense.</p>

<p>Interesting viewpoints. I also find it interesting that Middlebury has consistently ranked near the top of the PR rankings for “School Runs Like Butter” for like five years in a row.</p>

<p>OB: And so what is the disagreement with the Middlebury admin? You did not provide any concrete ideas on how to deal with underage drinking that sounds anything better than what you are criticizing. Please share some ideas. Are you suggesting a ban?</p>

<p>The school does run like butter-housing, access to classes, advisors, and faculty, student orgs-all the day to day stuff. I’ve said I would go there, and my kids are happy.</p>

<p>Panther-I really don’t know how many times and ways to say this. I have made some very specific suggestions to the Midd administration about some campus issues, in writing. The response I got from more than 1 individual made it clear that I shouldn’t bother. I don’t think I should attach my specific pieces to this forum.</p>

<p>I also think this thread is full of suggestions.However, for you, I will reiterate that education of students, peer counselors, and non-alcoholic alternative activities are approaches that have worked at other schools. I imagine Midd already does this.</p>

<p>Modadunn: Thanks for the previous president’s name. I asked my husband and you beat me to the punch re. the Amythist Iniciative. My son attends Pomona and I didn’t realize they were in it.</p>

<p>This is interesting to me. When I attended everything DID run like butter and, as Arcadia points out, it clearly did run like butter for a long period of time. Both Oldbatsie and Modadunn have posted here for some time now and I almost always agree with what they say, so I certainly trust their versions of what has happened with the administration. I’m sorry to hear that things have become difficult with this particular issue. It’s a shame for me, as an alum, to hear that things at Midd are not PERFECT (I certainly remember it as perfect). I do believe that the school is always striving to improve itself. I believe that, while you may have dealt with a difficult person in the administration, the administration, as a whole, will work to improve these issues. That’s one of the benefits of attending a smaller school. I hope to read soon, just how much better things have gotten and I hope this issue is dealt with - no one enjoys reading about less-than-complimentary experiences at Middlebury. To potential applicants I would like to point out the silver lining. I will tell you about my time spent spent living in Portland, Oregon. It rained almost all the time. For much of the time I was unemployed or underemployed. I was often sick - and those were some of the best years of my life! I would not hesitate to recommend Portland to anyone looking for a place to live because there were so many positives that seriously outweighed all those negatives. I hope you’ll view Oldbatsie’s comments in that light.</p>

<p>Thanks Urban-I am a “Midd Booster” and truly believe my kids are at a great school getting one of the best educations available in this country.</p>

<p>I will say again that my negative comments about some members of the administration should not deter prospective students.
My boys are both very involved in a variety of social activities, are happy, and would pick Midd again.</p>

<p>I will also say again that zero tolerance alcohol policies merely drive drinking totally underground, lead to more binge drinking because students get blasted in their rooms BEFORE the party, and in the opinion of many experts, more deaths from alcohol abuse and poisoning because people are afraid to get help for themselves and their friends.</p>

<p>Most effective practices include peer counselors, positive(student)role models, and the constant flow of information showing students that their amount of drinking is above the norm.
Having enough out of class homework and consequences for missing classes and late assignments also are helpful measures.Having an adviser who is personally interested in your well-being is helpful. Having friends, roommates and other peers who do not approve is effective.
My son worked out with his roommate that their room would be a “party-free” zone.
But I’m a doctor, not a dean. If they want me, they can call me. I’m sure they’ve got it figured out who I am if they are paying attention. Besides, there are lots of more knowledgeable people they can consult.</p>

<p>Bottom line: fear of liability pushes some administrations away from “best practices”(just like in Medicine). If the rules are strict, and they are enforcing them, parents can’t successfully sue the institution if their child dies from an overdose. It isn’t just Midd taking this approach.</p>

<p>Sad but true…</p>

<p>I know the recently retired Vermont liquor inspector, John D’esposito. PantherPride is correct, his responsibilities included enforcing the drinking age at colleges. John is a Hamilton College alumni ‘72. I can attest that he did his share of imbibing at Hamilton and was understanding of college dynamics. He tried his best to be as lenient as the law allowed and- lest I say- turn a blind eye now and then. However, he was obligated to uphold the laws of Vermont. Parents sometimes overlook the fact there are legal issues involved. Not taking sides, just sayin’</p>

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<p>Don’t be silly. There’s no point in having the college waste valuable time and resources teaching something that most students already learned in high school. </p>

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<p>No s***… kids today have much better drugs.</p>

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<p>John McCardell also has said as much. In an interview with USNWR, President McCardell echos Modadunn’s and my recollection of drinking related–or lack of-- issues prior to raising the legal drinking age.</p>

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<p>[John</a> McCardell: On Setting the Bar at 18 - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070415/23qa.htm]John”>http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070415/23qa.htm)</p>

<p>Not coincidentally, prior to the age increase, Porter Hospital admitted far fewer students with alcohol related issues. Heck, during the days of free flowing beer and booze in town and on campus, the hospital admitted more individuals who were injured by a chicken than Midd kids who had been on a bender.</p>

<p>It’s interesting to note that Porter Hospital, erected on college land, was in part founded so Middlebury students had an infirmary. Who knew that one day the ER would double as a student detox facility.</p>

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<p>Yeah, well, tried that line during the Vietnam War era. Didn’t work then either. Many states and Canada refused to lower the drinking age. Then there was the fight with Kansas Attorney General Vern Miller who made it illegal to serve alcohol over Kansas airspace, because the state was dry. The law resulted in a whole new meaning to the definition of the mile high club…think malefactors in bathrooms swigging from flasks.</p>

<p>A final thought: During testimony at the the national prohibition law hearings AFL vice president, Mathew Woll, made a statement that is as germane today as it was 85 years ago.

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<p>My apologies for the diversion. Carry on!</p>

<p>Nice job, crewdad…Absolutely spot on!</p>

<p>“Bottom line: fear of liability pushes some administrations away from “best practices”(just like in Medicine). If the rules are strict, and they are enforcing them, parents can’t successfully sue the institution if their child dies from an overdose. It isn’t just Midd taking this approach”
I agree with CrewDad and Oldbatesiedoc on this issue…
I also want to say that my student is getting one of the best liberal arts education in the country. The professors and advisors are fabulous!</p>

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<p>yep, Yep, YEP!!! And that’s why I don’t complain (too loudly, anyway) about writing the full boat check to the place!! S is so stoked about school on an almost daily basis. He truly loves his classes, professors etc. And in three years, you’ve never heard me complain about classes or professors. (Although I do wish they’d get a few more science faculty.</p>

<p>Suggestions: scratch the commons system strangle on housing. Let the kids live where they want at least starting sophomore year. The school is too small to not encourage as many different social groups as possible.</p>

<p>Crew - tip of my hat to your post… spot on.</p>

<p>I only wished I worked at Middlebury, OldBatesie!</p>

<p>Interesting string here, and not much different from posts on CC the past three years (or more) related to alcohol.</p>

<p>I take from this string that Middlebury has yet to get it right with alcohol (and the Campus newspaper reports more attention to this with the formation of a campus group/task force being formed to deal with alcohol and social life). Would be interested to hear which school has indeed come closest to getting it right. CrewDad’s reference to Vermont’s just-retired liquor inspector’s practice of work on Vermont campuses underscores the state’s strict laws, which does indeed make it harder to find a fair and healthy balance for social life on campus. And OB: check the events calendar – there are many, many alternative, non-alcohol events at Middlebury. The issue really is public safety’s too easy penchant for closing down parties that have alcohol, the reasons for which are complicated, but again, tied to liability issues.</p>

<p>Bottom line, however, is Moda’s post and the one prior: the kids are getting a fabulous education at Middlebury. Maybe the admin is doing something right (things that are rather important, in the end).</p>