Twenty-one years ago, in the first issue of the 1984 academic year, The Amherst Student outlined the College's revised alcohol policy. According to The Student, "campus officials ha[d] traditionally ignored the issue of underage drinking on campus, thereby leaving both the College and the sponsors of a party at which minors drank liable for the lives and actions of underage drinkers." However, after repeated requests for the modification of the policy by the College Council and the College's attorneys, the College devised a "party contract system which legally cover[ed] both the College and the party's hosts," provided that the hosts made certain that alcohol would not fall into the hands of any minors in attendance.

The contract required authorization by the Dean of Students' office and consisted of a two-sided sheet with copies forwarded to the party's sponsor, the deans' office, Security, Physical Plant and Valentine. "The contract also require[d] the name of the group sponsoring the event, the names of specific individuals who are responsible for the event, the location, date and estimated time frame for the event and an estimate of the number of people expected to attend." Party organizers were expected to indicate any plans to advertise the party and whether any College funds were being used. If services were required of Valentine officials, Physical Plant or Security, the execution of the party was contingent upon their approval.

The College was fully prepared to abide by all state laws, including a specific state statute which banned the serving of alcohol after 1 a.m. "'The policy [was] the product of the sense that the College had been negligent for a very long time in not enforcing the drinking age. No one in any way wanted to put a crimp in students' social lives, but [the administration] felt that there was a need to prevent massive legal problems,'" Dean of Students Ben Lieber told The Student in 1984. "'Essentially what people do behind closed doors is their own business. This policy only covers the serving of alcohol in public spaces using College funds. We don't expect to stop all underage drinking by any means. The goal of the policy ... is to protect the College and students giving parties from legal claims.'"