2008 Woodie Awards
Another involvement chance come and gone
Accept off-campus policies or work towards change
Royal Purple staff
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Opinion
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For the 81 underage students who were caught for drinking, barring they were not a repeat offender, fines were of the typical $298 variety. However, for six of the tenants in the house, penalties could have totaled more than $50,000 each.
The fines handed down in municipal court were less: more than a $1,000 dollars per person. Students involved with the party and their friends voiced their displeasure with the original outlook, but to their relief the fines were pulled back.
Regardless, the more important thing is the backlash by the university that could be detrimental.
Two of the students were suspended, and four others received lesser sanction from the university; one even lost his job. The fines pale in comparison to the possible backlash from the university, and what constitutes academic misconduct may be changed.
A UW System policy revision committee recently released a proposal to modify Chapters 17 and 18 of the UW System's laws.
Chapter 17 covers student nonacademic disciplinary procedures, and Chapter 18 covers conduct on university lands.
In order to effectively revise the two chapters of the System's administrative rules, the Chapters UWS 17 and 18 Review Committee has enlisted the input of students, university staff and the public.
By going to the Web site www.wisconsin.edu/admincode, students and others interested in offering their suggestions can view the already suggested revisions and find means to offer their own feedback. The original window for public feedback passed March 11. However, it is still possible to contact members of the Board of Regents and make suggestions.
Many a time, there are instances like the Prairie Street party bust last October when students who feel wronged suddenly voice their displeasure, crying injustice. All 87 involved were off campus when the bust occurred, yet many received sanctions from the university. How many e-mailed their responses to this committee? Probably very few.
The point is there are opportunities like this one when students can have a hand in changing the policies they find unfair, and they should be capitalized on.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Kyle
posted 4/04/08 @ 10:21 AM CST
It's no surprise that Whitewater is already punishing students for off-campus conduct. Imagine the larger scope once these revisions go through...and they will go through unless students show up in large numbers at the Board of Regents meetings and state legislature proceedings where this issue will be considered during the 2008-2009 school year. (Continued…)
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