Page 3 - ThePhoenix1997-98

COMMENTARY Thursday, September 18,1997 - Page 3 Substance free housing: What's the big deal? Should -----1Meghan Martin I Coley's memo Substance free housing is an environment that protects them in a position where ille- those who respect themselves residential space devoted to them from these dangers be- gal drugs can be linked to the enough not to use or abuse have been clean, healthy living. This type cause their self-respect de- room. these substances. More hous- of housing offers support for mands that must. Many freshmen were con- ing will definitely be needed. sent to people who want 10 live in this Others may be recovering cerned to learn that substance The rights of these resi- manner. In return for this sup- addicts who do not want to he free housing was not offered in dents should be respected. port, residents must abide by tempted by roommates or the upperclassmen's dormito- Members of substance free students? the special rules that govern the floor mates who may use nes. communities on campus are community. these substances, legally or il- Although there is space pro- serious about their rejection of STAFF EDITORIAL "In any case, residents, especially freshmen, know that they do not know their The administration's action in- volved in mailing a memo to all roommates well enough to trust them completely." faculty regarding the college's po- sition on student-faculty dating These rules are simple. Al- legally. Still others live in vided in one Daniel Mac Lea alcohol, tobacco, and all ille- and neglecting to send a similar cohol, tobacco, and, of course, substance free housing be- suite and in one Pennsylvania gal drugs. one to students is not acceptable. illegal drugs are not permitted cause of their moral codes and Avenue house, substance free Western Maryland College Students should be treated just in the community's place of various upbringings. These housing is considerably lim- ' should be thankful to have like the rest of the WMC commu- residence. Members of the people just do not want to live ited. Being able to live in sub- such devoted students who nity. One wonders why students community are not permitted 10 around harmful materials. stance free housing is a choice continue to believe in the were not invited to the sexual ha- be under the influence of any In any case, residents, es- the current residents in sub- cause of being substance free rassment workshop held in March illegal substance at any time. pecially freshmen, know that stance free communities want in the face of peer pressure. and why a similar and more "ap- Failure to comply with these they do not know their room- to have. These students should be re- propriate" activity was not held for rules leads to expulsion from mates well enough to trust As more people become warded by an increase in the students. One also wonders why the community. them completely. aware of the dangers of alco- space available to house them students were not sent a copy of Many students who live in By choosing to live in sub- hoi and tobacco, primarily the memo that warns the faculty substance free housing are try- stance free housing, members cigarette smoking, substance about the college policy regarding ing to escape from the dangers of the substance free commu- free housing will become a sexual harassment and, more spe- alcohol, tobacco, and drugs nity expect that their room- more popular choice. cifically, amorous relationships pose. Some have seen first mates will not smoke in the This is especially true between faculty and students. hand the effects of these sub- room, will not come in drunk among athletes, people with Meghan Martin is a freshman Aren't they directly involved in a stances. They choose to live in late one night, and will not put asthma and allergies, and journalism student. dating situation? At the workshop, administra- Princess Di was no Mother Teresa tors and staff were in attendance, I Adam Dean I few faculty went, Faculty students and were not invited. mem- bers had poor turn out and hence were sent a memo. The student body had no representatives in at- The death of Diana Spencer, was trying to modernize the India all in the name of God. of Calcutta are not Bosnia, it is also known as "Princess Di ' monarchy. Of course this is ri- While Diana attended charity safe to assume that they are not tendance. Why weren't they given a memo? was of course a tragedy. It is sad diculous. Trying to modernize balls that supposedly raised the best or safest place to travel Sayre said students don't need whenever a person dies unex- the monarchy is like trying to money for some good cause but for a western woman: a copy of the memo since they al- pectedly. The sorrow of the streamline a horse and buggy. really are only an excuse for That is what really bothers ready get the information from loved ones left behind always You can change the external rich people to socialize and feel me. Princess Diana was a other sources like the "Phoenix," pulls at the heart strings. appearance, but it is what it is. wonderful about themselves, woman of much glamour, but in an editorial written in the spring, What I don't understand is And, really as an American Mother Teresa was actually get- linle substance. Oh sure, she why the death of this particular why should I care? On that ting her hands dirty and mak- did things that looked good. But and the Student Guide and individual caused such an out night two boys lost a mother, ing a real impact on real how much of a real impact did ~, where the policy is pouring of grief in the United her brother lost a sister and that people's lives. Diana have on people's lives? printed. States. is sad. Diana traveled to some dan- Very little. Nobody in the 500-student in- coming class had the opportunity to read that editorial. Also, one "While Diana attended charity balls that supposedly raised money for some good cause imagines that the number of STU- dents who actually read the .s.t!!= but really are only an excuse for rich people to socialize and feel wonderful about dent Guide and DateBook is very themselves, Mother Teresa was actually getting her hands dirty and making a real insignificant. In light of this, why not send out the memo? Why not impact on real people's lives." give this important topic special attention for the students as well? Docs the college think it will I am sorry she died. Nobody But it is no greater a tragedy gerous places such as Bosnia, And while Diana set out on give this issue too much attention deserves that. But didn't we than any of the other deaths that always surrounded by guards a misguided and unenforceable by sending such a memo to the stu- fight two wars to get the heck occur due to traffic accidents and touring a pre-approved attempt to ban land mines, dents? Arc they afraid it may away from these people? Diana everyday. route, in order to bring attention Mother Teresa went to work and alarm the parents? Are they just was a symbol of an outdated, Bur the greatest injustice to one of her pet causes. actually did something that trying to conserve paper? Or, are medieval idea. Nobility, the be- surrounding all this overblown Mother Teresa, on the other made the world better, at least they keeping the students in the tief in a natural aristocracy of coverage of the death of this hand, as a young nun set off for for some people. And yet our dark? people based on birth is obvi- one individual is thai it over- a strange, dangerous and un- attention is drawn to the glam- Either way it is a mistake. ously false. Just take a look at shadowed the demise of one of known country without a our of Diana like a moth to a Those who are not informed are Prince Charles. With a huge the greatest women of the our weapon, without an army of bug zapper. under-informed. Students have a beak of a nose, lanky body and time, Mother Teresa of bodyguards and went among the The public seems to be right to know what is going on at ears that would do dumbo Calcutta. people, among the untouch- missing the world's true loss sexual harassment workshops to proud, all one would have to do Unlike Diana, Mother Teresa ables, those that the caste sys- and zeroing in on the attractive which they are not invited. So to is put a banjo in his hands and actually accomplished much tem considers to be unclean. power of glamour. save the administrators the trouble, set him in front of a log cabin good in her life. Before Diana She tended these people's the "Phoenix" has decided to pub- in West Virginia. He would was a twinkle in her mother's ills, fed them and tried to share Adam Dean is a senior political lish the memo on page 6. blend right in. eye Mother Teresa was feeding her incredible strength of faith science major and editor of the This editorial reflects the opinion Some may say that Diana the poor and tending the sick in with them. And while the streets editorial pages. of the Phoenix staff and no specific individual