UMass Amherst Commission Reviews Underage Drinking Policies

March 04, 2011

Fred Thys

Students walk the University of Massachusetts campus in Amherst last September. In trying to shed its party-school reputation, some students say the university is now too strict. (Andrew Phelps/WBUR)

A commission reviewing the student code of conduct at UMass Amherst Friday morning holds what's expected to be a lively meeting to discuss what gets students in trouble most: underage drinking.

The president of the UMass Amherst Student Government Association, Brandon Tower, sees a problem with the way students are sanctioned for violations of the code of conduct.

"I think it's time for us to acknowledge that we live in a day and an age where drinking occurs," Tower said.

Tower serves on a commission charged with revising the Student Code of Conduct. He'd like to see a written warning issued for first-time violations of the alcohol rules. The administration is holding out for fines and a mandatory course about alcohol.

UMass Amherst issues more than 4,000 sanctions every year to students who violate its code of conduct.

This program aired on March 4, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.