As discussion and controversy surround the proposed changes in the alcohol policy, students must acknowledge that the administration’s increased recognition for students’ rights demands great responsibility from the student body at large.
After publishing a story detailing the upcoming changes in Friday’s newspaper, students responded at the Optimist Web Site with appreciation and hope.
* “There are students who are capable of drinking responsibly, and I’m glad ACU recognizes that.”
* “If anything, this makes ACU more honest about itself, its students’ habits and how to best care for students by showing and allowing them to take responsible approaches to alcohol.”
* “I really believe that this change will help ACU focus on truly irresponsible alcohol consumption, instead of the 29-year-old grad student who wishes to buy a bottle of wine at the grocery store without looking over his shoulder.”
But as students advocate for amendments in the current no-alcohol policy and commend the administration for their desire to build a bridge of communication and relevancy in regard to legal alcohol consumption, students must abide by the rules for the changed policy to be successful. The amended alcohol policy is not a lessening of enforcement nor is it a moral compromise to a red-button issue. Rather, the change signifies the administration’s continued faith in students.
By allowing students of legal drinking age to consume alcohol off-campus for the first time in the university’s history, the administration has placed great trust in students’ ability to make wise decisions and to act responsibly.
Students who disregard this faith by drinking irresponsibly or breaking the law by drinking in excess demean the progress both the administration and various student leaders have worked to achieve. The proposed policy will not permit drinking on campus, drinking with intent to get drunk, underage drinking or providing alcohol to minors.
We commend the university for taking this step, and we charge students to respond accordingly because if students desire respect they must act responsibly.
