Doug McConkey, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, issued a statement Monday to push students to consider the consequences of their actions regarding alcohol consumption.
The statement included a series of guidelines the university has set for students with alcohol violations. Though these statements seem harsh, most of them have been in place since after Michael McKinney's death. Items that might have caused controversy include the policy that the university could send students through a counseling program that students pay to attend and that students with violations might result in penalties from the university.
The university had to do something about the events since November. This was the administration's decision. Though students might not agree with the decision, the policies are in place and students will be held to them.
The easiest ways to avoid these penalties is to obey the laws. This might mean staying away from house parties or refraining from throwing parties where strays might wander in.
Until these policies are revised, if ever, students should obey them if they want to remain in good standing with the university.
But this does not mean students cannot make a difference in future policy decisions.
If students consider these regulations as unfair or invasive, they should contact administrators and explain their ideas for alternatives. Administrators make decisions for a reason. The solutions they came up with might not meet students' desires. However, students and administrators can agree on the same outcome: They want Ball State to be a safe environment. This is the university's formula for providing a safer environment for students.
In the end, attending Ball State is a privilege, not a right. The university can reprimand students who refuse to abide by these policies. However, students have the right to speak their minds about the issue.
Until any new policies are set, this is Ball State's action regarding alcohol. Whether or not there are efforts to change those policies is up to the students.
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