The AU campus and community are facing a new combination of policy restructuring and applicable punishments deemed necessary by Campus Life and other supporting entities. Justification is needed as we see the affects of two separate issues now taking the front stage for the beginning of the new school year.
After a recent meeting between Vice President of Campus Life Gail Hanson and Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, Faith Leonard, an important policy initiative regarding the involvement of the University in matters of Alcohol and Drugs was enacted. The initiative stems from the University's continuing effort to protect the well being of every student.
At the beginning of September, the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Task Force, submitted to the University their yearly report regarding alcohol and drug related matters and proposing a new set of initiatives for the University to install. Perhaps the largest suggestion topic was the current policy regarding parental notification in the instances of illegal drug violations on campus. Currently, the procedure is outlined with the notion that parental notification will occur after the student's second violation. After the review of the report by the AOD Task Force, it was determined by Vice President Hanson that the Office of Judicial Affairs will now notify parents on the first instance of drug charges as opposed to the current policy of waiting until the second offense.
Immediately following the hearing of the proposal, both of us meet and discussed the material of initiative. Although, it should be understood that neither the SC nor SAC condones the use of illegal drugs, we also feel that the new initiative brought forth does not address the fundamental rights of students' to privacy and opportunities to learn how to solve one's own problems before parental involvement.
As we all our aware, college is the time for independence and discovering exactly how we are going to interact in society. Each college experience is different in specific contexts, but it is seen in every student's eyes as an opportunity to change and experience a portion of their lives that they may not have ever seen before. During this period of exploration, it is possible to become intertwined with something other than a positive encounter. Each student should be held responsible in these sorts of scenarios, but the key aspect of that punishment is that it involves the student and only the student. As college students we are forced to make important decisions every day, and the ability to solve our own problems and become responsible adults are traits which we must develop. The notification process will only inhibit the students constant strive for betterment and leaves us with less of a chance to expand into our own individual person.
In addition to the new policy on illegal drug violation, the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel is still leaving its mark on the AU community. Particular attention is being paid to the incident occurring on the Quad on Sept. 18. The evaluation and determination of proper punishment for those involved has been determined and launched into action by Campus Life. Contrary to those decisions, the student body is left asking questions that may not have been addressed in the deliberations. Where was Public Safety during the course of the events? Could this have been prevented if the specifics of the hurricane procedure had been more clearly outlined? What is the emergency procedure for campus employees and were there certain departments not meeting those criteria? The exact answers to these questions have not been thoroughly addressed. Vice presidents and campus leaders alike, including the individuals who have shaped the particulars of the punishments, have yet to establish valid answers to the questions at hand.
After the announcement last week by Vice President Gail Hanson, the punishment for those involved in the incident on the Quad has been completely laid out. Each individual involved will have an opportunity to either pay a fine of $100 or assist with community service to pay the campus back, lest they face judicial charges. After receiving numerous complaints regarding these punishments, the SC has begun to plan a Campus Wide Beautification Day. This day will have the goal of repairing and assisting with the redevelopment of the campus after the hurricane. Initial planning is underway for the event and students our encouraged to participate in the event, whether or not they had a direct involvement in the incident.
We hope that every student will take these actions by the SC as a way of assisting and exemplifying the college experience of every student.
Nick Terzulli is President of the Student Confederation and Richard Garcia is Director of the Student Advocacy Center.
