Ok, as I have said before, I am not a Rice graduate, thus will admit to my ignorance as I'm 1.) not familiar with the Rice student experience and 2.) not intimately connected to the University as an alum. But, help me with this article that appears in The Thresher:

http://www.ricethresher.org/news/article...b2370.html


If what is being reported is truly an accurate assessment of the University's position on substance use/abuse (and there may be some misrepresentation by the press), doesn't this seem to be irresponsible with respect to illicit substances? After reading this article, my take away is 1.) people PROVIDING/SELLING substances will receive disciplinary action (GOOD!), but 2.) people POSSESSING/CONSUMING substances for "personal reasons" will be handled as a "medical issue" (????). Of course, the article doesn't elaborate on how a "medical issue" is handled (and it would be helpful it if did). But it appears there is more leniency if you fall into the former rather than the latter category (which, doesn't necessarily happen in the real world). So, can one claim to fall under a "medical issue" to avoid punishment?

So what am I missing? Any thoughts, clarifications or other interpretations would be helpful. Thanks!

It says that substance abuse reported to EMS will be treated as a medical issue. That seems fairly straightforward.

A campo explained it to me this way back in the 80's when he saw a few students frantically pushing stuff into their backpacks at 2am in the commons....

They aren't there to police you personally. They are there to protect you.

The University seems to still have this general policy. If you are taking drugs, you might need counseling/medical help. Only if you are violent or failing is that an issue for them.

HPD would probably see it differently, but HPD isn't often on campus.

Hambone explained it pretty well. Ideally, the administration would rather you feel comfortable calling the police/EMS if someone has drank too much/OD'd because you want them to get help and know you won't get in trouble, rather than avoid calling the police/EMS because you are trying to save your own skin.

iMO, they know people will drink/use drugs, so they would rather they do it in a safe environment where risks can be mitigated and ideally serious injury can be avoided.

(03-31-2014 04:21 PM)CrabCake Wrote:  If what is being reported is truly an accurate assessment of the University's position on substance use/abuse (and there may be some misrepresentation by the press), doesn't this seem to be irresponsible with respect to illicit substances? After reading this article, my take away is 1.) people PROVIDING/SELLING substances will receive disciplinary action (GOOD!), but 2.) people POSSESSING/CONSUMING substances for "personal reasons" will be handled as a "medical issue" (????). Of course, the article doesn't elaborate on how a "medical issue" is handled (and it would be helpful it if did). But it appears there is more leniency if you fall into the former rather than the latter category (which, doesn't necessarily happen in the real world). So, can one claim to fall under a "medical issue" to avoid punishment?

I am pretty sure that if you are caught snorting a line or drinking underage in a public place, you will get busted (potentially to UCourt or maybe more).

The medical pertains to overdose situations and the likes. Rice would prefer that students call EMS and have the professionals take care of a potentially dangerous medical situation without the fear of retribution as opposed to having them try to hide it. I see this similar to many parents who tell their kids that if they are in trouble or too drunk to drive to call them; they will pick them up 'no questions asked' as it is safer than the alternative.

I think this is one of the many great things about Rice and am glad to see Dean Hutchinson make sure it is known and understood.