Students could not help but laugh when event moderator and organizer Michael Wilner CM ’11 said to Scripps President Lori Bettison-Varga, “you’re going to have to defend this [policy],” during the Claremont Presidents panel discussion on Feb. 28.

The president’s response, however, shifted the laughter to soft whispers of surprise.

“I’m not going to defend it,” Bettison-Varga replied sternly. “That it is something that we are open to exploring.” And with that, the President openly began the process of reviewing Scripps’s alcohol policy.

“The College places the responsibility for observing the State law upon each individual and expects each student to govern herself with standards of good taste and ethical judgment,” details Scripps’s Guide to Student Life. Scripps students under the age of 21 are not allowed to consume alcohol, while those over 21 who choose to imbibe must do so in the privacy of their residence hall rooms.

Scripps students found in violation of the policy can be written up, and the write-up goes on their record. Additionally, they may be required to take a class on alcohol safety or perform community service.

Bettison-Varga explained that she wished to take a look at the policy because she has “heard student concerns regarding their perceptions that the policy is implemented in a manner that is not conducive to a healthy atmosphere on campus.” Students have reported to her that they are worried the current policy drives alcohol consumption underground, leading to fears of punishment if alcohol poisoning is reported.

A primary goal of any revisions made to the policy, Bettison-Varga said, would be to “encourage responsible and healthy behavior” around alcohol. She wants to make sure that the policy “recognize[s] that [Scripps] students... are adults.” However, she also expects “that the students recognize that the college has risk[s] associated with activities on campus.”

According to Bettison-Varga, the Scripps administration had begun an internal dialogue about reviewing the alcohol policy as early as this fall. The college will work out how it plans on evaluating the policy over the summer, possibly consulting experts along the way. In the fall, the administration “would want to do an intensive look at alcohol and substance use and abuse and policies on campus,” Bettison-Varga said. She also noted that “there would be plenty of students on the task force.”

Bettison-Varga stressed that changes made to the alcohol policy, if they go through, would emphasize student education.

Student reactions to the planned alcohol policy review were mixed.

“I do appreciate the fact that this policy makes [alcohol consumption] not as apparent on Scripps,” Irina Rabkina SC ’14 said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily the right thing. I like the quietness, but I know that’s not the best thing for everybody.”

Supporters of the school’s current policy pointed out that the quietness of Scripps’s campus is often presented as one of the school’s selling points to prospective students. Some students said that the other Claremont Colleges offer sufficient social opportunities for Scripps students.

Detractors of the policy, however, pointed to a lack of fair enforcement across the residence halls.

“Some RAs will turn more of a blind eye [to alcohol consumption in residence halls],” said Calida Danko SC ’11.

Some students also said that the current policy negatively affects social interactions between underclasswomen and upperclasswomen, driving a wedge between those who can drink without fear of being written up and those who cannot.

“I don’t think freshmen or sophomores should be afraid of being written up every weekend,” Danko said.

According to Bettison-Varga, it is the combination of these concerns that initially led her to consider reviewing the college’s policy towards substance use, a process she said she hopes the school will pursue. She added, however, that safety will remain the school’s number one priority.

“I hear the concerns. I understand the concerns,” she said. “I would love the students to know that I also have a concern for their health and safety.”