November 24, 1999
 Ferris parents try to make the grade
By CARRIE ZIEGLER
News Editor
For students, school, work and play are a difficult balancing act. However, for those students who are also juggling parenthood, it is much more difficult to keep up their grades.
"It's very, very hard," Noelle Pizana, a junior in English Education, said. Pizana has a one month old daughter named Sydney. "It has totally changed my academic outlook. There's no such thing as procrastination now. You take your education much more seriously; you're not just doing it for yourself anymore."
Rikka Bos, a sophomore in Applied Biology, is expecting a child around Dec. 3 -- the week before exams. "[The baby] preoccupies your time," Bos said. "It's hard to buckle down and study." Bos imagines that, when she does have her baby, it will be even harder to concentrate on her studies. "It will be hard to be away from the baby; I'll be in lecture wondering how the baby is doing."
Ferris State University has some policies in effect that do help out student parents. For example, the University offers the option of married and family housing on campus. According to Residential Life, West Campus apartments are designated for couples and single parents -- 579 people, both adults and children, live there. East and South Campus apartments, however, are mainly for single students -- 226 people live there.
Bos is one of the residents of West Campus apartments. "It's a really nice apartment," Bos said, "which is hard to find in Big Rapids at a reasonable price. We have two bedrooms so the baby will have its own room. A lot of new parents don't get to start out with that; I think we're really fortunate."
There are some policies at Ferris, however, that don't accommodate a parent's needs. Structured Learning Assistance (SLA) workshops, for example, do not allow children in any of the workshops. "Small children can be disruptive and noisy in a workshop," John Kowalczyk, SLA Coordinator, said. "We find that the parent is focused on the child, trying to keep [him or her] quiet and entertained, not on the workshop and the learning process. It's disruptive to the parent and to other students trying to stay focused."
Kowalczyk's solution for parents who have a sick child or cannot find child care at the last minute is to save their four excused absences. "That's why we have built-in absent policies," Kowalczyk said. "We encourage students not to take absences unnecessarily, but to save them for emergencies."
Ferris, says Pizana, tries to accommodate the needs of her and her daughter. "They try, but it really depends on your professors," Pizana said.
For some parents, night classes are one option. Bos is planning on taking night classes next semester after her baby is born so her husband can care for the child when he gets out of work.
Pizana and Bos urge other FSU students to take parenthood seriously. "Make your decisions wisely," Pizana said. "There's nothing better than being a mother -- I just wish I would have waited a little longer. I missed out on a lot of extra-curricular activities that I was involved in."
"I wouldn't recommend [parenthood] for anyone who wasn't ready," Bos said. "It's going to be hard, but I don't think it'll be so hard that I can't handle it."
Minor changes lead to new major at Ferris
By RYAN JOHNSON
Assistant News Editor
What do Ferris students want more than a psychology elective? A psychology major. Ferris, acting on the wants of students and professors alike, is in the final stages of instigating a full psychology major at Ferris State University.
"A sub-committee of the Board of Trustees has approved it, and it will be in the agenda for the next Board meeting," John Thorp, department head of Social Sciences, said. "It looks very positive. I would say it's a sure thing that it will be passed."
To plan something like a major, a lot of work is involved at many levels in the University. "You don't just sit down one day and say, _Let's make a psychology major,'" Richard Pisacreta, Social Sciences professor, said. "We reviewed other universities, then came up with our own version. We then set criteria so that we could get accredited. There are a lot of things to consider. Things like a GPA minor, whether we should offer it as a major or a minor, things like that."
"This is a very important major for students," Victor Broderick, Associate Professor of Social Sciences, said. "So many students wanted it, and when they found out that we didn't have it, they would leave for other schools."
"I wanted it 19 years ago when I came here," Pisacreta said, "but at that time, the University didn't want any redundancy."
What a student gets out of a psychology major depends on how much they put into it, and how long they are willing to go to school. "You can obviously go to grad school," Pisacreta said, "but if you don't, you can get work in the field if you work under a licensed psychologist. A number of them can go to work for businesses, and in all kinds of social areas.
"What a student does with a psychology track depends on their interests. To be a counselor or something like that, a student has to go on to grad school, or they can go on the get their Ph.D. Some students find they like certain aspects of it, and they specialize in that aspect, in businesses, hospitals, etc.
"A good example is a company that hired computer [professionals] and psychologists. The psychologists didn't know as much computer stuff, but they could be taught that, and it turned out that they had extremely good conceptual skills."
"We wanted to do something different than other schools with this major," Broderick said. "We wanted something that no other universities offer. It's true that the best jobs come with an MA or a Ph.D., but ninety percent of psych majors only get to the BA level. Here at Ferris, we can give guidance, and help launch them into a career."
"I say that a student could at least get a minor," Pisacreta said. "It's only 16 credits, and most students already get 12. It is a great edge in the workplace, and I can't think of a single situation where it would not be beneficial."
But while the major at Ferris is new, most of components that will be part of it are already here, and have been for quite some time. "We have had the vast majority of what a major requires here," Thorp said. "We basically added concept courses. Things like research methods, theory in psych and statistics. Until recently, Ferris hadn't opted to do that."
"At the beginning, we will have enough staff to handle this," Broderick said. "But as this grows, we will need to expand."
"Psych is the most popular major in the country," Pisacreta said. "Two professors just retired, and we will have to replace them, but the current faculty won't be enough for very long. We could have hundreds of students within a year or two."
Faculty and staff help shape Big Rapids
By LAURA CHENE
Ferris State Torch
Different faculty and staff members on campus manage to simultaneously fulfill their job requirements and be involved in activities outside of Ferris. Many of them feel that there is a strong connection between Ferris and the community.
David Russell, professor in the department of Languages and Literature, has been active in the Big Rapids community for a number of years. Russell says that he was reelected as city commissioner in the last election held on Nov. 2.
Russell has lived in Big Rapids for 19 years and has always been involved in the community. According to Russell, he has been the chair of the city plan board. "I also served on the city commission for the last four years," Russell said. "I have children who go to public schools, and I go to church."
Russell says that it is possible to teach at Ferris and engage in community projects at the same time. "The city commission meetings are twice a month on Mondays," Russell said. "I have a fairly flexible schedule as a professor." The city commission does not involve daytime commitment, according to Russell.
"I enjoy working with people outside of Ferris," Russell said. "I get to see a different perspective."
Richard Griffin, professor in the department of Social Sciences, has also remained active in the community for many years. Griffin states that he recently ran for city commissioner. He also served on the Big Rapids plan board for about two and a half years, was on the Board of Directors for an alcohol and substance abuse program, and was a member of the Mecosta County Community Corrections Board.
According to Griffin, it is important that people be involved in the community in which they reside. "We, as American citizens, have the duty," Griffin said. "I'm a political scientist. All citizens should be involved in the community. Even people in engineering should be involved in the community."
Both Russell and Griffin believe that there is a connection between Ferris and Big Rapids. "[Ferris] is the largest employer," Russell said. "Students help determine the retail establishments. There is an economic, as well as a social, impact. I would like to see more exchange and cooperation."
"They go hand and hand," Griffin said. "We're a hands-on type of university."
Philip Stich, professor in the Mathematics department, keeps occupied with the Habitat for Humanity organization. "I'm chair of the construction committee," Stich said. "I've been the construction manager for the last three houses." According to Stich, the organization builds two houses each year.
"I've always been fairly good in construction," Stich said. "I've been involved ever since [the organization] started in Mecosta County. I believe in what the organization is doing.
"I feel I owe something to the community," Stich said. "We all owe something to the community."
"It's part of our responsibility to be involved," Griffin said. "That's part of our job." |
P.A. program grows in popularity
By STEVE COOK
Assistant Amusement Editor
Students who are bored with their programs and have asked for some diversity might have an answer in the form of a fairly new program. It's called the Public Administration Program, and it's becoming more and more popular with Ferris students over the last few years.
Dr. Richard Griffin, coordinator of the Public Administration Program, wrote and founded the program at Ferris in January of 1997. Griffin had lots of encouragement from Sue Hammersmith, Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. John Thorp, Head of Social Science Department. The program mixes political science, sociology, economics and various law courses. "We work very closely with the people in Business Law," Griffin said. Griffin has two program advisors, Dr. Donald Roy and Dr. David Pilgrim, who help him advise students.
By entering the Public Administration Program, students can specialize in Criminal Justice or Communication. They can also specialize in Proposal Writing and Television Production. The program also gives students direct work experience through a yearly internship program. The internships include government and office jobs for local companies. "There's a big job market out there for the students at Ferris, " Griffin said.
Amy Wozniak, a senior in Public Administration, was one of the first Ferris students to enter the program. She has a lot of praise for it. "The biggest asset of the program is the faculty. The faculty in this program tells it like it is," Wozniak said. "This program is Dr. Griffin's baby. He cares greatly about [its success]." According to Wozniak, people in Public Administration are loved by everyone at Ferris. "We have the best advisor and the cutest students."
Wozniak also feels that the program has been able to thrive because of strong involvement at Ferris. "We've received strong support from the Big Rapids community and President Sederburg," Wozniak said. She also feels that being in this program will benefit her in life. "The experience is amazing from being involved with this program."
Griffin has high hopes for the program as it heads into its third year at Ferris. "Our program gives students many options, it's a very flexible program," Griffin said. According to Griffin, 50 people are currently majoring in the Public Administration program. "In the future, we will be looking for some growth."
The Public Administration majors also want the program to grow. The program will need new students next year, as several students in the program will be graduating this year. In the future, the program will be looked upon to collect polls. It also could be used as a possible resource center for county government. Griffin is hoping to add more areas of specialization to the program.
Students can develop intellectual and practical skills while in the program. These skills will help them get entry-level employment in federal, state, regional, and local government agencies. Students can also combine multi-disciplinary scholarship with practical training in government, business and technology.
To be admitted into the program, students must meet one of the following three requirements: an ACT score of at least 16, a 2.5 high school GPA, a 2.3 college GPA or a 2.5 GPA for previous college course work in Social Sciences or Applied Social Sciences.
The program gives students a Bachelor of Science degree, with a minimum of 124 credit hours. Further information on the program can be obtained by writing to Ferris State University, College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Social Sciences in ASC 2108, at 820 Campus Drive. Or, call Dr. Griffin at ext. 2761.
Entertainment Unlimited brings many events to Ferris
By STEVE COOK
Assistant Amusement Editor
Ladies and gentlemen of Ferris State, the winter months are almost upon us and students are looking for activities to do to keep themselves busy. Luckily, we can count on the Entertainment Unlimited organization to bring quality events to the Ferris campus.
Nisha Grant, president of Entertainment Unlimited, is very proud of what EU has accomplished this year. According to Grant, Entertainment Unlimited raised $366 for Project Starburst and received three boxes of canned food as donations from the Tom DeLuca show held at Williams auditorium last Wednesday.
Grant is in her first year as president and her third with the organization. The vice president of Entertainment Unlimited is Noelle Pizana, who is serving her first year as VP and her fourth year in the organization.
Entertainment Unlimited is an entertainment committee of student government. It is also a university-funded organization that provides entertainment to the campus, and can work with other groups to bring events to campus. The organization is open to every student at Ferris. "We are always looking for members," Grant said. The organization holds meetings every Wednesday night at 6 p.m., in Rankin 232.
There are several traditional events at Ferris sponsored by Entertainment Unlimited. Some of these include organizing the Homecoming concert, bringing hypnotist Tom DeLuca, and holding Ferris Fest on April 29th.
Entertainment Unlimited starts entertaining students right from the start of the year, and several new things are happening this year. In the first week of school, the organization held an event called Welcome Week, a mix of dances, game shows and a concert for the students. Welcome Week helped FSU get back into the swing of things.
When students come back in January, there will be an event called Winter Welcome, which is also being put on by Entertainment Unlimited. Activities for Winter Welcome will consist of laser tag, virtual reality, fun flicks and making wax hands.
There is also a talent show put on by Entertainment Unlimited. It is usually on one Thursday a month, with a different act each month. At the end of the year, all of the winners get together for a final series. Michelle Burke, director of Student Activities, is involved with the organization and thinks the talent show provides good entertainment for students. "It allows students to be entertainers," Burke said.
The next upcoming talent show will feature rock, alternative and country music. The show will take place on December 2nd, from 7-9 p.m. It will be in the Center Ice food court, next to Bond Circle. By entering in this show, contestants have a chance to win up to $500 in upcoming talent showcases.
For Valentine's Day, Entertainment Unlimited will be sponsoring a jazz dinner from 7-10 p.m. Tickets for the event will be $10 and $15. Music will be provided by the FSU Jazz Quartet, and plans are to have the event held at Cafe Ferris. "It's a nice evening for students to enjoy romantic atmosphere," said Burke.
According to Grant, Entertainment Unlimited can't provide entertainment for the students if students don't provide feedback. By this January, Grant hopes to have a survey box next to the Rankin Student Activities desk to serve as a student survey form. Grant is also hoping Entertainment Unlimited can use the Rankin television lounge for a couple Thursdays each month, and have a DJ there to help students relax. "We want to have something fun for the students," Grant said.
Entertainment Unlimited will help bring an event called the Stress Free Zone to Ferris next month. The event will take place in the Student Rec Center on December 9 from 8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. There will be free pizza, rides and a DJ courtesy of EU. The Residential Hall Association will be sponsoring Swing dancing, and the event itself will be sponsored by the Freshmen Mentor Program.
"More people need to check out Entertainment Unlimited," Burke said. |
FSU Cheerleading is high-flying action on sidelines
By CHRIS MILLER
Sports Editor
When you attend an FSU sporting event, look beyond the action on the field or court. Look for the action on the sidelines, where you will find one of the hardest working varsity sports at Ferris: the cheer team.
"We try to attend as many varsity sporting events as possible," junior John Powell said. "It is hard, but I think we do a great job."
The cheer team attends mostly all football games, basketball games, some hockey games, volleyball and track events. Each year, the team holds at least two tryouts and attends a cheer camp in August. This year, the team traveled to Wisconsin for their annual camp.
"At the camp, there are about 2000 people that represented some of the biggest colleges in the nation," freshman Katie Bearinger said. "This year, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin were among the top schools that attended the camp."
The cheer squad this year has 12 cheerleaders, consisting of six guys and six girls. Former FSU cheerleader Jason Hensel (1992-96) is in his third year as head coach, with the aid of two assistant coaches, senior Brad Soltysiak and sophomore Teresa Marcellino.
The only other senior on the squad is Jephrey Carhoun. Also on the team are junior Elizabeth Grzegorczyk, sophomores Shelly Swartz, Laura Horan and Brian Wheat, and freshmen Greg Doosen, Kathy Rogers and Dan Rookus.
During the school year, team practices are held everyday from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M.
"To be on the team, it takes a lot of talent and dedication," sophomore Laura Horan said. "It also takes up a lot of time, which can be a problem to those who get involved with cheerleading."
"We are a varsity sport and there are several scholarships offered," Powell said. "We have to obey the same NCAA rules and regulations as every other varsity sport at Ferris." In order to try out and remain on the team, individuals must have a 2.0 GPA and hold at least 12 credit hours per semester.
During the tryouts, participants are asked to perform a variety of cheerleading skills. They perform stunts similar to simple gymnastics and at least two cheers individually. They also have to recite a couple of FSU's chants and learn half of the fight song.
"There have been some people that have quit the team because of the stressful schedule and demand that we offer," Powell said. "That is why we hold tryouts twice during the year."
The cheer team sets a goal every year. The goal for this year's squad is called "Maximum Intensity." "Maximum Intensity means doing the best that you can and keeping the teams and students involved at sporting events," Horan said.
The FSU cheerleading team also competes in a national competition. The last time FSU sent a cheerleading team to nationals was in 1995, when the competition was held in Florida.
Throughout the year, the Bulldog cheerleaders also get involved with several extracurricular activities and fundraisers. During the home football games, the team sold tickets for the "Pot of Gold" raffle. The cheerleaders were also featured in the parade during homecoming weekend. They also usher during graduation and perform various other community services.
"We get a lot of support throughout the year," Horan said. The cheer team gets support from alumni, parents, faculty, students, the athletic department and several businesses.
"To show our thanks for the support, we send out cards to those who have been there," Bearinger said.
Hockey nails two big strikes at Bowling Green
By CHRIS MILLER
Sports Editor
The weekend was successful for the Bulldog hockey team as they won their fifth straight game against Bowling Green State University on Saturday.
FSU defeated the Bowling Green on Friday 3-1 and took the second win in an exciting victory the next day 5-4 in overtime. The two victories send FSU's overall record to 8-6 overall and 6-6 in the CCHA. They are currently tied for fourth place with Western Michigan.
Friday, the Bulldogs got out to an early lead scoring two goals in the first period. The first goal was scored by sophomore center Rob Collins. It was Collins's third goal on the season. Senior Brian McCullough and junior Jim Dube assisted the goal. McCullough is tied with freshman standout Chris Kunitz for the most goals scored this season at six a piece.
The second goal scored by Ferris came in the final minutes of the first period. McCullough slapped the goal past freshman goalie Tyler Masters with the assist from Collins.
Bowling Green finally got on the board in the second period with a goal to make it 2-1, but Ferris put the game away in the final period with sophomore Jason Basile's first goal of the season. Assisting Basile was McCullough and sophomore Chad McIver.
"McCullough scored a team high of three points for us in the first game." Head Coach Bob Daniels said, "He has shown that we can count on his leadership ability and his talent every time he hits the ice."
McCullough was named offensive play of the week against Bemidji State last week when he scored three goals with two assists on five points. He also scored the game winner against Bemidji during the Friday game.
Against the Eagles on Friday, junior goalie Vince Owen got the start for the Bulldogs and saved 24 shots fired at him. FSU shot a total of 25 shots at Masters.
On Saturday, the Eagles came out firing first on a goal by sophomore Greg Day just 23 seconds into the game. FSU answered back with three straight goals, two in the first period. The first goal came from junior Scott Lewis with the assist from one of FSU's leading scorers Rob Kozak. Kozak leads the team with assists and is tied in points with freshman Troy Milam.
Junior Kevin Swider scored his fourth goal of the year and the second goal for the Bulldogs in the period. Assisting on the goal were Dube and senior Brent Wishart. In the second period, Collins racked up his third point of the weekend on a goal with assists from Dube and Basile to make the game 3-1.
The Eagles came storming back on two late goals in the period to tie the game at three. The second goal came only two minutes after the first.
"I knew we still had a chance to win because we out shot Bowling Green in the game 28-18," Daniels said.
Ferris scored their next goal just a little over two minutes into the third period. Freshman Phil Lewandowski scored with assists from Kozak and Milam. BGSU answered back three minutes later to tie the game at four.
Regulation ended in a tie and in overtime Kunitz smacked his sixth goal into the net for the game winner.
F.U.S.S. is trying to clean up its image
By PAM PRESTON
Assitant Sports Editor
If you go to the home sporting events you'll notice a particularly rowdy and loud section of the crowd. These students are most likely the members of F.U.S.S. (Ferris University Sports Supporters)
"Our mission is to go to all the home sporting events without using alcohol before or during the games," president of F.U.S.S, Joe Crawford said. "This kind of discourages people from joining us because they can't tailgate," Alicia Topa, in Recreation Management said. "But it is a sacrifice we make."
The organization wants to get students involved in attending these events. "We try to just have fun at the games and get people talking about us," Crawford, junior in automotive heavy equipment management said. "Then others will want to participate to they know it can be fun."
In previous years the organization has gotten a bad rep for vulgar language and inappropriate chants and are working to improve that image.
"We are trying to clean up things," Crawford said. "We don't start the bad chants anymore, but get blamed for them. That's what the crowd likes so they use it."
"The students look to us for ideas so if we don't use it, they will stop using it too," Topa said.
The F.U.S.S. organization gets support from the athletic department and coaches. "We are not a high budget group, but the things we do need get donated by the athletic department," Crawford said.
The organization is making other changes over the years in addition to cleaning up their act. This year more female members have joined the organization. "I wanted to get involve with something and everyone always said I should be a cheerleader, but I didn't want to do that so I joined," Topa, one of the first females to join said.
F.U.S.S. makes the athletic events more lively and add spark for the athletes and spectators. Since Topa has been a F.U.S.S. member, games have been more interesting for her too.
"My freshman year was boring. I went to the games but just sat and watched," Topa said. "I decided to get involved with the games and have lots of fun now."
"We are about half and half right now," Crawford said. "It seems like whenever a guy joins, two girls join." If you are interested in being a part of this organization just sit with them and join in with them. "I like to act goffy and go nuts to help our athletes," Topa said.
Contact Joe Crawford at 592-5432 or find him right in the middle of the crowd action at any home sporting event. The organization does not require much more than to attend most home events. "I have met a lot of people and made friends since our whole group are friends," Topa said. |
Happy hunting, everyone!
By JACOB CRAFT
Ferris State Torch
'Tis the season. Everywhere you look, you can see children's faces light up as they wake up in the wee hours of the morning, grab their high-powered rifles, and tramp out into the woods to teach that darn Bambi a lesson he won't soon forget. That's right, it's deer season! Has one ever seen a sight so lovely as traveling down 131 and seeing dozens of deer carcasses strapped to the hoods of conquering heroes' pickup trucks?
Of course, there are those that aren't as happy as you or I that thousands of deer have gone to the Disney animated feature in the sky. A friend of mine is particularly distressed at this annual slaughter. But let it be said that she has done her part in the resistance. Her husband was preparing to go hunting on opening day. Knowing that deer had very sensitive noses, she rubbed fabric softener sheets all over his carefully selected hunting attire. Needless to say, he didn't see any deer that day.
This is the same woman who cried when she saw a particularly disturbing deer in transport. It seems these clever hunters, always ready to provide levity to the grim task allotted to them by the DNR, had propped up this particular corpse in a lawn chair, strapped him in, and affixed a can of beer to his little deer hoof. Now that's comedy.
She's not alone. Many people are distressed by this annual "harvest". Personally, I cannot see where they're coming from. I mean, having ridiculously dressed men with overpowered rifles shooting defenseless creatures while quite probably under the influence, well, that's just like Vietnam with antlers! And look how well Vietnam turned out.
What I love are the ever-present justifications for killing the deer. My personal favorite is the "We need to kill them to save them" bit. Aww. I didn't realize what big hearts the mean ol' hunters have. They're doing this, not for an excuse to drink beer, shoot stuff and compare whose buck is bigger, but to save the lives of these poor creatures. In my mind, it's a self-correcting problem. The little deer won't be able to eat enough tree bark to live, and they die. Some friendly woodland scavenger eats the carcass, and shazam! The population problem is solved! And not one hunter with a rifle was required!
I can almost buy the hunting-for-meat argument. I eat cows, and somebody had to kill those. I just think that people like the perennial gonzo, Ted Nugent, make a laughingstock of this camp and hunters in general. These are the guys who have convinced themselves that it is an act of great skill to kill a deer with thousands of dollars of lethal equipment and instructional videos. Congratulations! You outsmarted an animal with an IQ of 5, and had to pay several grand to do it. Good going.
I think that where most hunters truly fall, if they are honest with themselves, is in the "I kill deer because it's fun and I can get away with it" school of thought. Killing stuff that's weaker than us seems to be human nature, and hunting just seems to be a manifestation of that.
With that said, I sure do love hunters. They do society a great service, save the lives of thousands of deer, and stimulate the economy through buying various expensive products like fox urine to cover up their own putrid stench. Thousands of fox urine harvesters would be homeless if not for hunters. Why does it seem that I am shifting dramatically in my last paragraph from those preceding it? Because it's probably not a good idea to tick off guys with big guns that like to kill unarmed creatures. Hunters, I love _em. Happy hunting, everybody.
Let's put Earth Day back where it belongs
By STEPHANIE GUILES
Opinions Editor
At first I accepted the changes that are being imposed at this University. I rationalized my own reason for the new rules and changes in tradition. I thought that somebody is really trying to "look out for" the student body. Lately we are bombarded with phrases like "alcohol free event" and "alcohol awareness forum". This insulting treatment has gone on quite enough, I think. This is a college. Every student who attends this university pays money to go here. It is our money that funds everything that happens at this university, including the special events.
If this is so, then why in the world are we, as students at this university not fighting to protect our rights. We are getting taken for a ride here. Does anyone else realize this but me?
Last year Earth Day was moved from it's location in Hemlock park to an "on campus" location. The name was changed. This new event was branded alcohol free. At first I thought, well, I don't drink very much and there are many students who drink too much. But lately I haven't felt that way about the new rules. I now think that something much scarier than alcohol abuse is going on. We are losing our rights as adults on this campus. We, as students, are being controlled at a level that has gone too far.
Like I said, I think some people drink too much and I absolutely have the right to my opinion. I do not have the right, however, to try to make them stop, to take things away from them and to impose upon them my thoughts and beliefs.
I think "alcohol awareness" is going too far at Ferris State University. We have gone from treating each case and each person as an individual, to making sweeping judgements about the behavior and capabilities of an entire campus. We are forgoing democracy on this campus. I can't believe this university is actually considering calling a student's parents for an alcohol violation. This would be an outright violation of anyone's rights. Why has this ridiculous idea even been proposed? Well, maybe because many times mommy and daddy are floating the bill. Why else would this university be mutating into a parent's dream?
This university is claiming to care about the well being of the students. While a few select individuals may really care about the students, I really think the almighty dollar is talking quite loudly. It's an image thing, by far. Mr. and Mrs. Everyday won't send little junior to a school where "bad things" happen. Like most parents, they don't hold their little pride and joy accountable for his own actions. They want a "safe school" where bad people won't influence their little angel. They are, like this university, are blaming an inanimate substance for a problem that goes much deeper. They want to live in an illusion because they feel better that way. Ferris is helping them build a nice mental picture.
I am beginning to wonder why 18 year old students at Ferris are being treated like 15-year-old students in high school. If an 18, 19 or 20 year old student gets caught with alcohol, the consequences will be administered appropriately. Do the "powers that be" around here distrust the students of this university and the judicial system of the state of Michigan so much that they feel they must be the "law of the college land"? This University is not a separate country or town. Ferris is not an island. More important for students to remember, it is not the only college in the area, and credits transfer.
When a person turns 18, he/she is legally an adult in this country. An 18-year-old can vote, get a credit card, borrow money without parental permission and do many other things a 17-year-old can not. I'm sure everyone knows that the legal drinking age is 21 years old well before they are 18 years old. If someone chooses to drink, then he/she chooses to take a risk and deal with the consequences of that action.
If anyone wants to take our adult hood away from us, let him or her work within the system of state government to make the changes they see fit. Until that happens, let them realize that this condescension needs to stop. |
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