Monday, October 26, 2009
Clinking beer bottles or loud gatherings in student housing could become grounds for staff members to demand entry into a room, according to a proposed policy change.
The Department of Student Housing recommended this change as a better way to enforce drinking regulations on campus. It would allow staff members to immediately enter the rooms of students who are suspected of violating policy.
As the policy stands now, officials may only enter the room without notice when “imminent danger to life, safety, health or property is reasonably feared.”
Emily Williams is the chairwoman of the alcohol subcommittee, which is discussing overall alcohol policy change on campus. Williams, Overland Park graduate student, said alcohol abuse was a major issue in student housing at the University.
“The situation is that no matter what the rules are people will break the rules,” she said. “And so we are faced with a very serious dilemma here as to how to reduce drinking to the point of abuse with our student body. Unfortunately, that kind of drinking is in housing.”
Kiley Luckett, Garden City senior and president of the Association of University Residence Halls, said the rule caused complaints among residents who said this was a way for staff members to enter rooms whenever they wanted. Luckett said this was not the intention.
“We are not trying to invade rights of any of our residents,” she said. “The purpose was just to better give us the resources to help residents if they may be in need.”
Student Housing Director Diana Robertson said the University was one of the few schools that didn’t already have room access. In the Big 12, Kansas and Iowa State are the only two schools that don’t have this policy.
“The issue is that there’s a cultural change that needs to take place and address things in what I would consider an adult and mature manner face-to-face. That’s what we’re seeking,” she said.
Members of the committee debated the effectiveness of a policy change.
Devon Cantwell, Topeka sophomore and Student Senate executive secretary, said the policy change could potentially help students who were losing sleep or study time because of their neighbors’ noise, but she said it could be less effective in stopping alcohol abuse.
“I don’t think this will necessarily help any way with the alcohol culture on campus,” Cantwell said. “But I think it will help the quality of life for the students in the residence halls.”
Mathew Shepard, Norton junior and All Scholarship Hall Council president, said this was the general reaction he received from students who were told about the policy proposal.
“They heard about it, they learned about it, they loved it because they want a safe place to come home,” Shepard said.
Williams said the purpose of the committee was to address alcohol problems at the University by looking to change various policies, but she said focusing on drinking in residence halls was still only part of the solution.
“This policy is related,” Williams said about the student housing policy change. “But it’s not the silver bullet for taking care of alcohol abuse at KU.”
— Edited by Nick Gerik
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