On my wall in the Student Confederation office hangs a pin stating the word "civitas." It is a token of the Office of Campus Life's new campaign to encourage civility on campus, but to also define civility. Civility, the simple act of conducting oneself as a positive and polite member of the community, was completely void the evening of the hurricane. Students did not act civilly, and neither did University employees. Civility begs the questioning of an entire campus community, instead of just blaming that community.
This past week, the University made a decision that has left eighty students slighted. For their involvement in the September 26 hurricane that left the Quad a mud pit, students were sent a letter, which gives them the option of paying $100 to repair damages, or perform community service as compensation. If neither option is met, they will be brought up on judicial charges. This "choice" is no choice at all. Even though students do not believe their actions on that night were wrong, they will be forced into paying the fine or doing community service.
There are two distinct and separate issues in this case: the destruction that occurred in the residence halls and the damage that occurred to the Quad. One is dramatically different from the other. Students should be held responsible for the cleaning of the dorms. After all, it came from tracking dirt inside, wrestling, and throwing mud against the walls. Students should not be held responsible for the damage to the Quad.
The Code of Conduct violation that students are alleged to have broken is clearly stated in the letter they received. Section VI.L reads that "intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging university property or the property of others" is subject to disciplinary action.
The students did not intentionally cause damage or destruction to the Quad. This is a fact that is not debatable.
The claim that students acted in a reckless manner is questionable considering that Public Safety, the department charged with enforcing University rules, not only refused to break up the incident, but encouraged it to continue. Public Safety is mandated to "protect university facilities, including academic and administrative buildings, parking lots, athletic fields, and grounds," as is stipulated the 2003 Annual Security Report. They encouraged the students to have fun and did not associate their behavior as reckless. If our Public Safety officers did not have the foresight to realize that the students' actions would be damaging, the students should not be expected to either. After all, "the officers are obligated as officials of American University to enforce University rules and regulations," which is stated in the 2003 Annual Security Report.
While the maturing of students is inevitable through the college experience, so is the maturing of an entire campus community. While students learn to grow as people and make responsible civil decisions, so must the administration grow to meet the new challenges in an ever evolving college atmosphere. Hurricane Isabel should be a learning experience for the entire AU community. We must communicate more efficiently, and as a whole, act more civilly. Expecting more from some members of the community than others is not civil. The question of whether the University community will grow will be answered only in time, and hopefully not by another isolated incident of confusion and disorder.
- Nick Terzulli is a junior in the School of Public Affairs and is the President of the Student Confederation.
