Recent RUPD activity should be exceptions of the past, not future precedent

By Drayton Thomas     1/20/11 6:00pm

Everyone may have a different reaction when someone yells "Cops!" at a party. Some may run (not recommended, you will just go to jail tired), some may hide ?and some may not be in a state to take any action. However, the common ground is that everybody knows the police are present. This was not the case around 3 or 4 a.m. on Jan 15. At Duncan College, RUPD officers entered two suites completely unannounced and confiscated any and all alcohol. Admittedly, one of these suites is occupied by underage students, but there are 21-year-old students in the other. There were also rumors of similar incidents at other colleges ?that night. This is cause for concern for several reasons. During O-Week, I specifically remember an RUPD officer telling a room full of new students that they would not be going into rooms in the above manner. Of course, this incident did not start by the police simply patrolling the halls everywhere. The reason for RUPD's presence at Duncan was due to two alcohol-related EMS calls. The suites that were raided were in no way involved with the alcohol consumed that led to these calls. The manner is also troublesome. More so, however, is that this action was provoked by EMS calls. We know that the person who calls EMS does not get in trouble, and that is why he or she does not hesitate. But if he or she fears that his or her friends down the hall may be reprimanded, then an element of hesitation arises. Action by the police should never derive from a call to EMS. What Rice needs is a good faith contract between RUPD and the student body that will always be upheld.

At this point I need to make a bit of a disclaimer. While I am not pleased with these events, I still think RUPD is a well-run, respectable police force. I feel safe on campus because of them, and I understand that they have a job to do. We have it better than a lot of other schools.

My advice to RUPD and the administration is to tread carefully when it comes to any revisions in the alcohol policy. The KTRU sale was a huge controversy, but I can confidently say that a campus-wide alcohol debacle would be larger and more divisive. I am glad that Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson is trying to create open discussion about the policy, and it must remain open.

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The aforementioned good faith contract is a good goal, but it obviously needs to be a two-way street. We have expectations of the administration and the police here, and so it is only fair that they expect things from us. Students, control the amount you drink. When you are in need of EMS, you are way past the point of having fun. I have woken up plenty of times and hated myself for drinking too much the previous night. I have never woken up in the morning hating myself for not having had enough to drink.

Here are a few practical suggestions as to how we can avoid excessive intoxication. First, when making certain drinks, such as jello shots or punch, do not dump random crap in the cooler. Notice what is going in, and then clearly label how strong the mixture is. An assertive wingman (in some cases more than one) is essential. Telling a drunk person to stop drinking rarely works. Take the cup out of your friend's hand if he has had too much and be verbally abusive if you have to. While we can rely on friends, it is required that we can also rely on ourselves. Know your limit; do not drink on an empty stomach; space out your drinks. Alcohol does not affect you immediately, but it can wreck your whole life instantly. If you have trouble sticking to your limit, then be sure to count your drinks and if necessary, physically write it down somewhere.

The administration and RUPD need to maintain what Rice has been before this last weekend, and the students need to tone down the drinking. Having two hands and only one mouth is not a drinking problem, but making and repeating mistakes is. You made the choice to read this article, and you can also make the choice to be a safer partier. Next time you go out, I hope you remember to be safe, and therefore remember it in the morning.

Drayton Thomas

Duncan College freshman

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