24 BACK TO SCHOOL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009
PRIVACY (CONTINUED FROM 23)
the document called the Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities that says students give up none of their rights as tenants," Heilman said. "Clearly, no one can come into your apartment without a search warrant."
Heilman said the code would have to be amended to allow room searches.
"This is still in the proposal phase," Martin said. "We're talking about how do we reduce the instances of excessive and underage drinking among KU students. We've seen the tragic consequences that can result in injuries and even death."
Marlesa Roney, vice provost for the office of student success, held the first meeting of the new University Alcohol Task Force. Roney cited recent student deaths as cause for alarm regarding alcohol abuse on campus.
"We decided we really need to double our efforts in light of what went on this spring and bring people together in a new way." Roney said.
The task force is comprised of students, Greek officials and
University staff and faculty. Roney, who mentioned being a resident assistant herself in the past, said the University needed to "step back and evaluate" the residence hall policy of granting residents the same rights that off-campus tenants have. She said some students had learned to deny entry to resident assistants and were exploiting the loophole. Roney said that the new policies would need to find a balance between respecting privacy and promoting safety.
"It can become a heated issue when it comes to individual rights," Roney said. "I do hope we have a healthy discussion between students and administration."
Ralph Oliver, chief of the office of public safety and member of the task force, said the current policy relied on search warrants, which took a considerable amount of time to get.
"We can pull a search warrant if we get called to a certain room twice." Oliver said.
He added that the average time it took to get a warrant was about four hours.
Jennifer Wamelink, associate
director of the department of student housing, said she hoped new policy changes would help limit police involvement.
"We're not interested in punishing our students criminally," Wamelink said. "Opening the door enables staff to talk to students and have an educational conversation. The goal is not to punish; it's to hold students to their contract."
Roney said that Student Senate code was usually revised every other year and that it was revised last year. She said the University and Student Senate would make an exception this year to review the code on students' rights in the residence halls.
Roney said she did not want to set unrealistic goals in making changes with the task force.
"This is not about abstinence." Roney said. "It's about responsibility."
Heilman said he was awaiting the return of student senators in the fall to discuss policy changes.
Edited by Ross Stewart
ADMINISTRATION
Task force meets about campus alcohol problems
BY DYLAN SANDS
dsands@kansan.com
The new University Alcohol Task Force is considering several proposals to change policies regarding alcohol on campus. The task force, which includes a variety of University staff, officials and students, held its first meeting July 21 to discuss ways to curb alcohol use in light of recent alcohol-related student deaths.
The group discussed several proposals including requiring incoming students to participate in an alcohol education program. All
incoming students younger than 22 would have to complete an online course through AlcoholEdu this fall. The course includes a test at the beginning and a test at the end. The course' Web site said that the course
"collects data on students' alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors."
Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success and head of the task force, said students who did not complete the course would have a hold placed on their enrollment. Roney said the course was informative and said she had learned a lot after she "flunked the pre-test."
"There isn't a silver bullet here where one thing can solve this problem," Roney said. "It needs to be a multi-pronged effort."
Roney proposed several other ways to decrease alcohol use on campus, including addressing alcohol consumption during tailgating events on campus.
"There isn't a silver bullet here where one thing can solve this problem."
MARLESA RONEY
Vice provo
for student success
Mason Heilman, student body president, said during the meeting that he was concerned the University was sending mixed messages in allowing alcohol at some events while barring students from drinking at others.
"It completely undermines everything we're trying to do," Heilman said. "I would be open to completely banning pre-game drinking. Go big or go home would be the way to go."
Roney said the University had considered creating a "no alcohol zone" at tailgating events that would highlight ways students can have
fun without drinking.
"My hope is that some students realize they don't need alcohol to enjoy their lives," Roney said.
Ralph Oliver, chief of the office of public safety, said that drinking at tailgating events did not usually lead to significant problems.
but that each event was different.
He said that most problems occurred when the University played against Missouri.
"Alcohol problems are directly related to the team we're playing," Oliver said.
The task force is also seeking to change the University's chalking policy because some chalkings advertise drink specials. Roney said the University might have to ban all chalking on campus because it could not discriminate against one particular group of advertisers.
The task force plans to begin monthly meetings in early September.
— Edited by Hannah DeClerk