MSSA rejects school alcohol procedure
Student president says new policy 'is reaching too far'
by Dannie Higginbotham
Issue date: 9/4/08
Section: Senate News and Notes
In a unanimous vote, the Minnesota State Student Association decided to oppose the procedural change regarding on-campus punishments for off-campus alcohol and drug violations.
The proposal, presented last week by Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Swatfager-Haney and Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities Mary Dowd, stated that university would receive arrest records from Mankato police and compare them to student lists. If a student was found, he or she would be called in for a hearing with Student Affairs.
"We do not take the issue of high-risk or underage drinking lightly," said MSSA President Ryan Anderson. "But we think this new university procedure is reaching too far."
"I feel like this is a very parental measure," said off-campus Senator Andrea Buecksler. "We are not the only college campus in Mankato and this is not solely a MSU problem."
The senate agreed that the issue of underage drinking seems to be more of a community issue rather than a campus one. Senators also said it was unfair that the university seems to be enforcing this policy without making it public and, in the motion passed concerning their recommendation on the issue, suggested that the university e-mail all students informing them on the new procedure if it decides to keep it. The senate also recommended that the university wave the campus sanction if a student completes the Blue Earth County Diversion Program, which requires the student to pay a fee and complete community service if cited for underage drinking.
MSSA also voted to oppose a campus-wide mandatory laptop program similar to the one at Winona.
"We've heard many complaints about the laptops required by the College of Business and feel that creating another mandatory laptop policy would bring on a new controversy," said Vice President Murtaza Rajabali.
The senate also agreed to review the College of Business' laptop policy in a future meeting.
"The cost of the laptop prevents many students from getting business minors, simply because they cannot afford it," said College of Business Senator Ryan Johnson.
Rajabali also spoke about the issue of getting Halal food for the Centennial Student Union.
"We know this is a concern for many students, especially now that Ramadan has begun," Rajabali said. "During Ramadan, Sodexho has agreed to occasionally have promotions with halal food after sunset in the CSU."
Regular promotions with Halal food will begin in the food court Oct. 2nd.
Dannielle Higginbotham is a Reporter staff writer
The proposal, presented last week by Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Swatfager-Haney and Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities Mary Dowd, stated that university would receive arrest records from Mankato police and compare them to student lists. If a student was found, he or she would be called in for a hearing with Student Affairs.
"We do not take the issue of high-risk or underage drinking lightly," said MSSA President Ryan Anderson. "But we think this new university procedure is reaching too far."
"I feel like this is a very parental measure," said off-campus Senator Andrea Buecksler. "We are not the only college campus in Mankato and this is not solely a MSU problem."
The senate agreed that the issue of underage drinking seems to be more of a community issue rather than a campus one. Senators also said it was unfair that the university seems to be enforcing this policy without making it public and, in the motion passed concerning their recommendation on the issue, suggested that the university e-mail all students informing them on the new procedure if it decides to keep it. The senate also recommended that the university wave the campus sanction if a student completes the Blue Earth County Diversion Program, which requires the student to pay a fee and complete community service if cited for underage drinking.
MSSA also voted to oppose a campus-wide mandatory laptop program similar to the one at Winona.
"We've heard many complaints about the laptops required by the College of Business and feel that creating another mandatory laptop policy would bring on a new controversy," said Vice President Murtaza Rajabali.
The senate also agreed to review the College of Business' laptop policy in a future meeting.
"The cost of the laptop prevents many students from getting business minors, simply because they cannot afford it," said College of Business Senator Ryan Johnson.
Rajabali also spoke about the issue of getting Halal food for the Centennial Student Union.
"We know this is a concern for many students, especially now that Ramadan has begun," Rajabali said. "During Ramadan, Sodexho has agreed to occasionally have promotions with halal food after sunset in the CSU."
Regular promotions with Halal food will begin in the food court Oct. 2nd.
Dannielle Higginbotham is a Reporter staff writer
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Alcohol Rehab Center
posted 12/22/08 @ 3:52 AM CST
Such a decision will backup the idea that students are allowed to drink in campus and that alcohol over-consumption is not a real serious problem to take in consideration. (Continued…)
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