College Refuses to Release UHS Stats

Three weeks after a mandatory discussion with resident tutors about the uptick in alcohol-related admittances to University Health Services, College administrators have declined to publicly release the data on hospitalization rates.

At the Jan. 21 meeting, Dean of the College Evelynn M. Hammonds and University Provost Steven E. Hyman presented statistics detailing the number of alcohol-related cases treated at UHS’s Stillman Infirmary over the past several years, Lowell tutor Marta E. Sobur said after the meeting. The number of students admitted to UHS for alcohol-related illnesses last semester nearly matched the number admitted in all of the previous year, tutors said.

But while several tutors indicated after the meeting that they thought the College planned to share the statistics with students, Dean of Student Life Suzy M. Nelson said in an interview on Tuesday that it is against College policy to release the information. In an e-mailed statement, Nelson added that much of the data collected by the College, including statistics on UHS alcohol admittances, is used to inform internal policy and administrative decisions.

Yet, last winter, the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Services shared the information that 102 students had been admitted in the fall of 2009 to Stillman for alcohol-related illnesses. The office also shared information on the number of annual alcohol-related admissions to Stillman stretching back several years.

At last month’s meeting, the data was presented as part of a larger discussion on how to talk to students about alcohol and safe drinking practices. Lowell tutor Van C. Tran said he believes that allowing students to see  the data could help facilitate these tutor-student conversations. However, Tran said he acknowledged that the sensitivity of the issue could contribute to the administration’s reluctance to release numbers.

“Some people have been hesitant because they think that raising the issue will actually encourage more drinking,”  Tran said. “It’s a very interesting and tricky situation to be in.”

Megan E. Fazio ’13, a Drug and Alcohol Peer Advisor, said she thought that releasing the statistics to students could send the wrong message and hinder honest discussion.

“We kind of try to avoid scare tactics,”she said.

While tutors and administrators have discussed the possible increase in unsafe drinking practices, Nelson noted that the increasing awareness of the College’s amnesty policy—a rule implemented in 2007 which allows students to bring intoxicated friends to UHS without disciplinary repercussions—could be another possible explanation for the rise.

“It’s a double-edged sword in some ways,” Nelson said. “It’s a good sign because we’re actually getting help to the people who need help, so we’re happy about that. On the other hand, it’s an indication that some people are drinking too much.”

—Staff writer Stephanie B. Garlock can be reached at sgarlock@college.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Hana N. Rouse can be reached at hrouse@college.harvard.edu.