I appreciated the thought-provoking editorial in Monday's Daily News. It reminded us all of the preciousness of life and how we should not allow dark "humor" to become an acceptable form of grief management. I agree with this message and applaud the Daily News for making the point.
In the days ahead, you'll be hearing another message (some would call it a warning) from the university administration and the city of Muncie regarding student behavior. Before I go any further, I want to emphasize that, in my view, Karl Harford's victimization by what appears to be a proven criminal was not his own fault, nor was it the fault of his friends. This perspective is shared by the university's senior leaders. Harford's murder and a stabbing a week later at an off-campus party have led many to ask, even demand, that the university "do more" to "ensure" the safety of our students.
The focus of many of these questions and concerns is off-campus partying. City police have said these parties have a tendency to draw uninvited visitors, who sometimes are looking for trouble, and to encourage or provide an environment for illegal or unsafe behavior. Although we know responsible students often drink in their homes without incident, we have always looked for ways to dissuade students from hosting parties that lead to trouble. Several times a year, and with our cooperation, Indiana State Excise Police check out parties for illegal activity. The last time, on March 5, their investigation resulted in 35 citations for minor consumption, though not all of those cited were students. In looking for ways to enhance safety and security throughout the university community, we believe off-campus parties demand our continued attention.
The police chief for the city of Muncie has also announced that his department would begin "cracking down" on off-campus parties. I do not believe he means that this crackdown will be for just a couple of weeks, either. I believe the Muncie police are committed to a long-term policy of increased patrols in the neighborhoods surrounding campus.
We welcome the city police joining our own efforts to bolster patrols in these neighborhoods. Ball State announced last December that University Police would increase patrols on Friday and Saturday nights, specifically to combat alcohol-related problems including underage drinking, public intoxication and unlawful and disruptive behaviors arising from excessive alcohol consumption. This has resulted in 48 weekend arrests and citations so far this semester, compared to nine during the same period of 2003. I do not believe this indicates more students are engaging in illegal behavior, but I do think it shows we're doing a better job of policing those who do. Our efforts on this front will continue. Students cited by campus police for illegal behavior off-campus are subject to the university's disciplinary process.
The city's decision to join our enforcement effort follows an agreement university and city police reached last September. Under the agreement, the city forwards information about students cited or arrested off campus to the university so that those students can also be put through the university's disciplinary process in addition to the county court system.
You should also know that while you were away on Spring Break, university and city leaders met to discuss some initiatives to take a tougher stance against some of the issues arising from students abusing alcohol and drugs, breaking the law and being irresponsible residents of off-campus neighborhoods. One result of that meeting is that the information-sharing agreement between the city and the university will be strengthened as the city begins its enhanced enforcement.
The overall message here is this: Your behavior, on or off campus, can and will affect your standing with the university. Here's how:
* When you break the law, you can face penalties from disciplinary probation to suspension or expulsion.
* The university may send you through a counseling program that you pay to attend.
* If you are cited twice for alcohol violations, your parents will be notified.
* City police will particularly focus on arresting those who supply alcohol to minors or sell alcohol without a license. If you do so, you will go to jail, and the university will proceed directly to considering suspension or expulsion.
* If your arrest lands you in court, you face fines of several hundred dollars.
* Being arrested starts a criminal record for you that is available to potential employers who run background checks.
The consequences of breaking the law are severe. So are the penalties handed out by the university, and we are looking at making them tougher. The city and Ball State are committed to pursuing these initiatives. If this all sounds like a bit much to you, there is a clear alternative, and it goes back to the title of the DAILY NEWS editorial -- best behavior.
The crackdown is coming, and if you want to avoid penalties, do what the vast majority of our students do: be personally responsible, obey the law, don't abuse drugs or alcohol, and if you live off campus, be a responsible neighbor.
The university has worked hard to raise academic standards and enhance the value of a Ball State degree. We are not going to let the actions of a few tarnish the reputation of the university or allow them to taint the vast majority of students as "guilty by association" because they are Ball State students. Take pride in your university, but most of all, take pride in yourselves. The choice is yours -- there's too much riding on your future to take a risk.
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