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Letter from the SSP Director

Dear SSP student, 

My hope is that you’ll have a great summer here at Harvard: safe, academically incredible, socially successful, and fun. And I hope your summer is free of trouble. Trouble comes in many guises, some of them attractive; but no matter how attractive, trouble is best avoided. In that spirit, I’ll take a moment to discuss the SSP “Do the Smart Thing” policy on alcohol and drugs. 

The great majority of SSP students haven’t come to Harvard planning to use alcohol or abuse drugs. But you may encounter some of the few who have. Should this happen, we expect you to Do the Smart Thing. 

  1. Dissuade. If you hear others talking about using alcohol or other drugs, intervene. Talk them out of whatever they may be planning. Head off dangerous behavior before it begins, and be sure to avoid these substances yourself. 

  1. Speak up. If you become aware of the possession of alcohol or other drugs, talk to someone who can do something about it, like a proctor or a resident dean. Letting the proctor or resident dean know about a potentially dangerous situation will not get you sent home. 

  1. Take action. Get help for students who you know have been drinking alcohol or using other drugs. You cannot be sure how another person will react to drugs or alcohol in their system. It is best to get help. Call a proctor. Call a resident dean. Call the Harvard police, at 617. 495-1212. A proctor, a dean, or the police will take the student to safety. Proactively seeking help will not get you, or the person whom you help, into trouble. But not reporting a prohibited and unsafe situation can result in disciplinary action being brought against you. 

I urge you to do the smart thing while you’re here at Harvard. Be a leader, and lead in the right direction. If you hear about, or observe, the use of alcohol or other drugs, speak up: tell your friends their choices are dangerous and potentially deadly, and be clear about your own decision not to participate in any gathering where drugs or alcohol are present. And take a proactive leadership role: if you observe unsafe behavior, call your proctor or resident dean, or call 617.495-1212. You may save a life. 

Sincerely, 

Bill Holinger, Director 

Secondary School Program