2008 Woodie Awards
Administrator responds to student concerns seen in Provoc
Dean Bob Ravenelle, Special to Le Provocateur
Issue date: 10/31/04 Section: Viewpoint
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The past few issues of Le Provocateur have included a few pieces concerning College policy and its enforcement ("Open Container Policy limits community of legal students" Le Provocateur, 9/15/2004; "Determined students hold protest" Le Provocateur, 10/20/20004; "Policy enforcement angers AC Student Body: Two Senior SGA members speak out" Le Provocateur, 10/20/2004, "Prime's Time", Le Provocateur, 10/20/2004). I would like to take this opportunity to respond to some of the issues that have been raised.
On September 29, 2004, I met with Seniors Erin Ahearn, President of the Student Government Association ("SGA") and Ryan Brennan, SGA Vice President for Student Life, to discuss a number of issues. In addition, on October 3, 2004, I attended the SGA meeting to discuss some concerns and questions including the College's policy regarding open containers.
Open Container policy
The policy with regard to open containers has not changed for the 2004-2005 academic year. During SGA training prior to the start of the academic year, Francine Perry, Director of Judicial Affairs, and I met with the SGA to discuss the visitation policy. At that time I informed the SGA that during the Spring 2004 semester I asked that the enforcement of the open container policy be examined. Specifically, I wanted to make sure the policy was being consistently enforced. During a number of judicial hearings students expressed frustration with what they perceived to be inconsistent enforcement. Further, I was concerned with a number of large outdoor gatherings that had occurred where open alcohol containers were present. While these gatherings can be attractive and fun to some, they can pose a safety risk and be invasive to the privacy and rights of other members of the community.
While the College policy on open containers did not change, the enforcement of the policy would be more consistent at the start of the 2004-2005 academic year and students were made aware of this through their hall and area meetings. This effort was not influenced in any way by a proposal submitted in SGA at the end of the Spring semester requesting a review of the policy. At that time I met with a representative from SGA to discuss the proposal. I advised him that the Policy and Procedures Review Committee would review the open container policy but requested that a recommendation be brought forward that would offer alternatives and that would address the impact to the community as well as enforcement and to serve as a starting point for the committee. It is my understanding that a proposal is still being developed within SGA.
On September 29, 2004, I met with Seniors Erin Ahearn, President of the Student Government Association ("SGA") and Ryan Brennan, SGA Vice President for Student Life, to discuss a number of issues. In addition, on October 3, 2004, I attended the SGA meeting to discuss some concerns and questions including the College's policy regarding open containers.
Open Container policy
The policy with regard to open containers has not changed for the 2004-2005 academic year. During SGA training prior to the start of the academic year, Francine Perry, Director of Judicial Affairs, and I met with the SGA to discuss the visitation policy. At that time I informed the SGA that during the Spring 2004 semester I asked that the enforcement of the open container policy be examined. Specifically, I wanted to make sure the policy was being consistently enforced. During a number of judicial hearings students expressed frustration with what they perceived to be inconsistent enforcement. Further, I was concerned with a number of large outdoor gatherings that had occurred where open alcohol containers were present. While these gatherings can be attractive and fun to some, they can pose a safety risk and be invasive to the privacy and rights of other members of the community.
While the College policy on open containers did not change, the enforcement of the policy would be more consistent at the start of the 2004-2005 academic year and students were made aware of this through their hall and area meetings. This effort was not influenced in any way by a proposal submitted in SGA at the end of the Spring semester requesting a review of the policy. At that time I met with a representative from SGA to discuss the proposal. I advised him that the Policy and Procedures Review Committee would review the open container policy but requested that a recommendation be brought forward that would offer alternatives and that would address the impact to the community as well as enforcement and to serve as a starting point for the committee. It is my understanding that a proposal is still being developed within SGA.