While the police blotter may seem like a weekly summary of alcohol transports and minor security breaches, there is a variety of important reasons The Eagle continues to publish it.
First, students have a right to know what occurs on their campus, regardless of whether the infractions we report are depressing or negative. We are not responsible for the university's image - nor, for that matter, are we affiliated with the university - so we won't sacrifice a story for anyone's benefit.
More importantly, however, is a federal law that requires universities that receive federal financial aid to publicize campus security matters. The Clery Act, named after a student who was raped and murdered in her residence hall at Lehigh University in 1986, requires that colleges report certain acts regularly, some of which include alcohol transports and minor theft. The Eagle is one of the most accessible ways for Public Safety to report these instances, and we are happy to fulfill that role, even though we are under no obligation to do so under this act.
While the blotter may appear to negatively affect the university's image to some, it is absolutely necessary to keep students, faculty and the rest of the campus community informed of what is happening at AU, even if it is news people do not always want to hear.
