To the Editors:
In last week's op-ed, "Alcohol hosting: A responsibility not for the faint of heart," Chris Rowe's suggestion that the Office of Residential Life does not inform alcohol hosts of the liability they assume when hosting registered events on campus is not correct.
The liability that students assume is explicitly indicated on the hosting information sheet and registration form, is covered at all Residential Life host training sessions, and was also clearly outlined in an e-mail I sent to all alcohol and event hosts reminding them of host guidelines early in February. Mr. Rowe was among the hosts who received that reminder.
It is important that students realize their responsibility under the law in hosting unregistered or off-campus events with alcohol is no different than those associated with a registered event. The registration process we have in place allows hosts to partner with our office, Security, and other campus and community resources and provides hosts with valuable information and support. I strongly believe that students who choose to host registered events make these events safer for all involved.
Sincerely,
Mary Pat McMahon, Associate Dean of Student Affairs