Ball State students are the heart and soul of this university.We are encouraging the students of Ball State University to havetheir voices heard Monday afternoon. Our purpose for having thisrally is to demonstrate that the students of Ball State Universitycare about this campus and our community. Our intent is not tobanter the administration or campus police. We appreciate havingthe campus police and all of the hard work they do to keep ourcampus safe. However, we feel that the new "Police Yourself"campaign is a negative approach to dealing with some seriousissues. We see underage drinking and binge drinking as a problem onand off campus. We only feel that it should be approached in a morepositive means. Rather than policing ourselves, we should beprotecting each other.
The protest scheduled for Monday is being organized by manystudents who love Ball State University and care about policieswhich generate negative attitudes. We are asking university policeto help us, rather than punish us. We are tired of being left inthe dark on such a serious issue, in a year where two students havebeen killed. We need positive action and support at today's rally,not violence. The heart of Ball State is wounded and is indesperate need of healing. We encourage administration and campuspolice to see this protest as an exciting time for Ball StateUniversity. For whether you agree or disagree with our stand,students are finally taking interest and showing concern for theirschool. Last week the university asked organizers to move theprotest to another location, but we have neglected their request,and the protest will remain at 4:30 p.m. today at the Shafer Tower.However, students should understand that their actions at today'srally shall not promote violence at any cost, for if we hope togain respect we must show it. The university has also informed usthat if they feel our assembly is too large, they have the right tomove us. We can only hope that this will happen because it willonly benefit our cause. We have an opportunity to be a part ofhistory, while at the same time creating change for Ball State'sfuture. All Indianapolis media have been contacted, and we ourexpecting them to be at the rally. This is an excellent opportunityfor the students to have our voices heard.
It is vital for students to come together today and express ourconcerns. Let us seize this moment and not let it pass by. The morestudents that show up today, the better chance we have of beingtaken seriously. So bring your shirts, hats, signs, voices andbodies to the rally today at 4:30 p.m. in front of the ShaferTower. Let us protect each other instead of just policingourselves.
Jason Sill
Senior
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