Alcohol protocol triggers debate – Opinion
PRO
Kaitlin Paulsen
Issue date: 10/7/09 Section: Opinion
via Alcohol protocol triggers debate – Opinion.
The new UMD Alcohol Protocol is a living, breathing document and is subject to change. If something within the protocol is not feasible, reasonable or functional, it can be amended.
To anyone opposed to the presented protocol, I would like to question why we should not raise the bar that we hold each other to at this university. As previously stated, this protocol is as fair and reasonable as it can get while still appeasing to the majority of people that make up the community of Duluth because UMD students are not the only party that makes up this city.
This protocol does not seek to, and will not, prevent all students from consuming alcohol or attending parties. It simply is asking us to do so responsibly and respectfully to our neighboring community members in mind. Yet I see people failing to do so weekend after weekend. These small numbers of students are the ones giving us all a bad name in this city. It is difficult for me to understand why students are so opposed to doing something about this. Do you like the current reputation UMD students have? This is the reason why Duluth is proposing so many city ordinances that are considered anti-student. Go figure. I’d like to live in a town where the people here actually want me to be here, wouldn’t you?
I believe that this protocol has the potential to significantly improve the status and reputation of UMD, as we have seen from the media responses throughout the state and nation. Why shouldn’t we as a university at least attempt to make Duluth a better place and UMD a more credible and respected university?
Lighten up UMD, and let’s do the right thing.