Breathalyzers: What We Know, and The Next Steps

By Fiona Pan '27

In the fall of the 2025-26 school year at Cate, students were informed of a new policy regarding alcohol use and efforts to prevent it. The policy laid out a plan in which students would be randomly breathalyzed throughout the school year, at dances, and in the dorms. The implementation of breathalyzers, as stated in the handbook, is used to “help students enjoy community life in positive ways.” The initial response from the student body was one of frustration, and taken aback, Amelia Riepe ‘27 mentioned, “It felt very sudden with a lot of big changes already happening.”  To students, it seemed to have been implemented very quickly and without much conversation with the student body. However, Elise Tsai ‘26, Prefect of Schoolhouse, articulated that, “I think the intention of the breathalyzers is good. Obviously, they want to create the safest environment possible. We have a unique place where our home is the campus.”

On the other hand, Gwen McTigue ‘26, Day Student Prefect, talked about how the implications of the breathalyzer seemed to create distance amongst the student body, going on to mention that “[the breathalyzer] puts a strain and pressure on the student-teacher relationship.” Nevertheless, when talking with Naomi Chen ‘26, she argued that, “The only way to make change was to do something more radical. While it may be a bit overdone, it effectively conveys the message. There are always ways to adjust it, by pulling back or adding more force depending on the reactions of the student body.” Students still want to learn more and feel that there could have been more open communication in the process, rather than after the fact. Other student leaders have also articulated the benefits of having a policy that helps the student body thrive and relies on authentic connections to build community. Bianca Jimenez ‘29, a new freshman, remarked, “I think that [the faculty] feel that they have control, and they do, but they are losing the trust of the students.” 

Even now, some students believe that the policy will drive a wedge between the administration and the student body. Further into the interview with Elise, she added, “I think a lot of us can agree that the delivery of the policy wasn't very clear to the faculty or student leaders, and then the student body in general. I think this is possibly a reason that the student body didn't receive it as well.” 

This Homecoming was the first time when students were breathalyzed, just shortly after hearing about the policy. A table was set up at the steps leading to Upper Booth, where students would pick a card and, depending on their card, either join a line to be breathalyzed or simply enter the dance. While this was happening, other students in the line were recording their peers and those above at the dance. However, with the line came a different atmosphere at the dance, as people waited for tens of minutes and were prevented from entering until they had been breathalyzed. The breathalyzer that night, however, was not a surprise to the students, as many had been wondering when it would occur, and the dance seemed to make sense. Later that evening, two dorms were selected for breathalyzing again; both Schoolhouse and High House/Lido were chosen. Although there were initial worries about it undermining the relationship between students and faculty, Shannon Drew, the Director of Residential Life and dorm head of Schoolhouse, mentions that “[it] hasn't changed anything in terms of relationships in the dorms.”

When talking to Erin Hansen, the Dean of Campus Life, she mentioned that the breathalyzer is used to prevent alcohol use on campus. Furthermore, she emphasized that alcohol consumption on and off campus isn't “normalized.” Also, Mrs. Hansen voiced, “[students] knowing that it is a possibility will create that doubt, and help them choose not to participate.” While the breathalyzer’s primary focus is on alcohol use, it can also be seen as a way to balance the culture at Cate. Mrs. Hansen continued to talk about how alcohol prevention on campus can strengthen the culture, and people can become reliant on the bonds they build authentically, rather than those built upon substance use. 

For Cate, the upper-level students begin by leading by example. Mrs. Hansen remarks, “Particularly with our senior class, what is practiced is what is then performed…if they are not participating [in alcohol consumption], it decreases the participation with the younger grades.” At Cate, Human Development programs enable students to spend their freshman, sophomore, and junior semesters learning about substance use. With this, seniors often set the example for the rest of the school on how to engage, live, and work within the community—and that is likely going to happen with the implementation, according to Mrs. Hansen. During the interview, she also said that the goal of the policy is to “live more wholly” and have stronger connections between students in dorms and students with faculty. 

The breathalyzer has only been used once this year, but plans for testing on other nights have already been made. As mentioned in the handbook and during the conversation with Mrs. Hansen, the goal of the policy is to help prevent alcohol use by creating doubt among students, while also strengthening the community by fostering relationships that do not rely on alcohol. Nevertheless, the student body continues to seek clarity on the policy's alignment within the community.