Editorial: Proposed policy infringes on privacy

By Kevin Hardy

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Administrators at the University of Kansas are considering perhaps the biggest hit to student privacy rights in decades.

A new proposal would allow housing officials to enter a student’s dorm room, scholarship hall room, or University apartment if there is “probable cause” of alcohol or drug use. This new policy is an effort to decrease underage and excessive drinking on campus.

Students on the Student Housing Advisory Board have already approved the change in policy, and it appears as if Student Senate will have the final say in the matter.

Current housing policies only allow police or housing staff to enter a student’s room with verbal consent or a warrant granted by a judge. Officials in the Department of Student Housing should not be afforded rights not granted to law enforcement agents, except in cases of medical emergency.

Although the University should be commended for trying to curtail excessive drinking, taking away students’ privacy is not the only — or best — way to accomplish that goal.

The recent medical amnesty program, which allows students to call for help with an intoxicated friend without the possibility of disciplinary or legal action, was a positive step in encouraging more responsible drinking behaviors. This program gives students no excuse to sit by or ignore a friend in need and could possibly save lives.

The recent changes in policy are an obvious attempt to mend the University’s alcohol policy in light of the recent deaths of KU freshmen Dalton Hawkins and Jason Wren.

Although it is encouraging that the University is trying to do more, this recent proposal goes too far.

Neither Dalton Hawkins nor Jason Wren died in a dorm room. Hawkins was found dead near a University scholarship hall reportedly after a night of drinking at local bars. This proposed policy would only encourage students to drink in other places, much like Hawkins did the night of his death. And it makes little sense to say this policy could have prevented Wren’s death. Wren was kicked out of Oliver Hall after repeated drinking violations. If this policy had been in effect at the time, Wren would likely have only been kicked out sooner.

Administration officials should be applauded for implementing a mandatory alcohol education program. Education and awareness will go much further than taking away students’ privacy.

But these positive steps forward don’t rectify several steps backward. The administration is considering other drastic measures that come shockingly close to infringing upon students’ First Amendment rights.

In a “Summary of Alcohol Initiatives” the administration identifies reviewing “the University’s chalking policy” and mandating training for members of student media outlets (The University Daily Kansan, KJHK, and KUJH) to implement “socially responsible advertising.” It is frightening any time any authority seeks to control a media outlet — student run or otherwise. Any restrictions on chalking, which have been proposed, would be a blatant hit at First Amendment rights. political groups, student clubs and businesses all use chalking as a way to reach students. This is something the administration should not regulate or take away.

Alcohol deaths are sad, tragic and everything possible should be done to avoid them. But recent proposals by University administration go too far and ask too much of students. They shouldn’t be allowed to infringe on students’ privacy or freedoms of speech and expression. Students should petition the Student Senate to vote against the proposal to enter a student’s room without permission.

And administration officials should rethink their proposed policies. Sometimes all it takes is one or two good ideas to make a huge difference. There is no doubt that administrators have good intentions, but their methods are flawed and need reworking.

— — Edited by Derek Zarda

Comments

blackdrgn121 (anonymous) says...

Alcohol deaths are not the only issue at hand. Constant litter and destruction of hallways are also a problem that the halls face. This is a great idea because the RAs still have to work with persons who have to be very careful how they act with their responsibilities.

August 1, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

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