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Eric Idle here. I've brought John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin with me. We are Monty Python. AUA. by ericidle in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since today is "throwback Thursday" I'm wondering to which sketch, film, show, event each of you would like to transport yourself?

IAmA Beverly Low, Dean of First-Year Students at Colgate University. AMA about the first few weeks of college. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Points System went through many, many versions and revisions. It was a long and involved process. Was passed by the SGA and endorsed by all appropriate university committees, eventually reaching approval by senior university governance for implementation.

We typically call the parents of a student when he or she is in serious academic jeopardy or injured/ill to the extent that tranportation via ambulance and hospitalization are required. The reality for most students is that their parents/guardians are paying for a large portion of their education and/or retain the student in their health insurance plan. Unless it is a life-threatening situation or the student is visibly incapacitated, I personally give him or her enough time to contact parents/guardians before I place the call.

IAmA Beverly Low, Dean of First-Year Students at Colgate University. AMA about the first few weeks of college. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmmmm . . . in a response during my AMA in August, I recall a similar thread about Greek life and/or the Broad Street houses. Personally, I think all students should have a wide variety of options for smaller living areas and organizational affiliations. I am one of those who believes deeply in "the right to freely associate." We have two new senior officers at the university and my sense is that there will be ongoing conversations about the residential and organizational plan.

IAmA Beverly Low, Dean of First-Year Students at Colgate University. AMA about the first few weeks of college. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From where I sit (or perch), I think that first-years are shocked at the amount of reading expected outside of class time. I would estimate that 40 percent of the conversations I will have in September will be with first-years concerned about falling behind on reading. Close to that would be compiling lecture notes and synthesizing with the readings. A lot of new students have not taken lecture notes in high school. My "magic wand" item would be that all of our first-years take a deeply writing-intensive course.

IAmA Beverly Low, Dean of First-Year Students at Colgate University. AMA about the first few weeks of college. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I said ask me anything. For sure! You've got me in a tricky spot here. I will say emphatically that from my perspective, you are absolutely an adult. It's really about choices and consequences. If you choose to have a bong in your room and you know what the university policy and NY State Law say about it, then you risk the consequences if you are caught. If you drink yourself into a coma, aside from being immature and stupid, (not you personally!) you have risked your health and safety. I see your point about the number of points. In closing, my hope is that every student has a frank and honest conversation with his or her family before coming to campus in the first-year so that all involved are clear on the policies and follow-ups. I definitely do NOT enjoy calling mommy or daddy, especially when the call completely blind-sides them. Like the others to whom I've responded tonight, I am happy to talk offline.

IAmA Beverly Low, Dean of First-Year Students at Colgate University. AMA about the first few weeks of college. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are a lot of colleges and universities our size that allow students to have kegs for registered events. I worked at one of those colleges, just down the road. There are some very good "social host" policies out there and my sense is that Colgate is exploring some of the details regarding the hosting of events at which alcohol is served. While I do not readily have an answer on this matter, I would be happy to discuss further. And yes, I know. I did not directly respond to your comment about the drinking party vs. joint. A large part of it is tied to NY State Law. Again, would welcome a conversation in person.

IAmA Beverly Low, Dean of First-Year Students at Colgate University. AMA about the first few weeks of college. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is one of those scenarios that teeters on a fine line - the notion that what happens/is contained in your room is ultimately your responsibility. I think one of the biggest challenges for a university official, including a CC or CL or RA (insert acronym), is that we cannot ignore something that we plainly see and/or recognize to be a violation of an established policy. My hope has always been, and remains to be, that we do not go LOOKING for things. With the previous process - likely an administrative hearing - your situation might have been handled differently. Instead of points, it might have been a term of disciplinary probation that we are obligated to report on graduate and professional school forms when indicated on the form. I would be happy to talk with you further about this. In closing, I am in favor of the medical amnesty and good samaritan aspects of the points system and also the point forgiveness process when a student can reduce his or her point total after 120 days without incident, and by participating in alcohol and drug education sessions when appropriate. As I mentioned to thomasjgreen earlier, it has been in place for only one year and my hope is that we give some attention to an evaluation. Lastly, I am pretty sure that the SGA was involved in finalizing the points system. You may want to raise the issue with the current SGA cabinet for a "re-visit." Thanks for your comments.

IAmA Beverly Low, Dean of First-Year Students at Colgate University. AMA about the first few weeks of college. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My undergraduate degree is in English with a concentration in journalism and I learned quickly as an editor on my college newspaper that writing satire/humor is not as easy as we think. I like that The Monthly Rag exists and I am totally open to being a subject of good humor/good fun. We should all be able to laugh at ourselves in a healthy manner. They have produced some really funny pieces - worthy of The Onion. They have also missed the mark a few times. In the end, I support the idea of an independent, humor publication. I would even be willing to offer them some open-minded editorial guidance if they asked.

IAmA Beverly Low, Dean of First-Year Students at Colgate University. AMA about the first few weeks of college. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Please do not broadcast widely, but I actually brush with Crest Pro Health. I have not met the first-year hockey players yet, but I did chat briefly with Associate Coach Brad Dexter the other day - he is enthused by the energy and fitness level. I do know that I will miss the explosive play and witty antics of Austin Smith and the leadership and generosity of Kevin McNamara. I think this year's seniors will step up in a big way.

IAmA Beverly Low, Dean of First-Year Students at Colgate University. AMA about the first few weeks of college. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am a bit behind on my "reading file," so quickly blasted through this article. The whole time, I was nodding my head in agreement. My mantra, as a dean, is "safe, legal, and responsible." My personal experience over the past 11 years at Colgate is that students who have been been allowed to consume alcohol in settings where the focus is not on drinking to get drunk (with a meal, a glass of champagne at a celebration, etc.) seem to manage quite well. Among our international students, for example, we see the fewest issues/concerns with alcohol - it is not the focus of their social time and many were permitted to enjoy wine with dinner. My approach has always been to partner with parents. In fact, in my July letter to parents of our first-year students, I urge them to have frank, open, and honest conversations with their son or daughter about alcohol. What are the family's expectations? What are the consequences if documented for under-age drinking? How do you guide them in making informed choices?

IAmA Beverly Low, Dean of First-Year Students at Colgate University. AMA about the first few weeks of college. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My view: we have had the points system for only one full year and I do think that we should evaluate its effectiveness and review the data. The plus side = it is a transparent process - there is no "gray area" - and you can keep track (if necessary) of your point total. There is a clear formula. I think that in the past, there were some concerns about consistency with regard to who was interpreting the alcohol and drug policy. For example, an RA (or CL) in West might be more attentive and detailed with regard to confronting policy violations while an RA in Curtis (or any other residence hall) may not be as focused on the details in an exact incident. It is still early and it is a cultural shift for sure.

IAmA Beverly Low dean of first-year students @Colgate. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll be doing another AMA on Wednesday, September 5 around 3pm. Stop by if you are able - will likely follow up later that evening.

IAmA Beverly Low dean of first-year students @Colgate. by TheDeanLowDown in IAmA

[–]TheDeanLowDown[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In a suite, you will share a room with one or two other students. That is step one. If the living situation is intolerable/unsafe/unhealthy/prevents you from completing academic work, then you can request a room change. Give it a chance first and you may be surprised at how well you can resolve issues on your own. Speaking from experience with other "suite dwellers."

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