RA’s can help stop underage drinking
There is always a lot of talk on the campus and in The Diamondback about whether police should be searching through people’s rooms and dorms on the campus looking for alcohol and stopping parties. My question is: Where are the RAs?
Let’s think about this: Isn’t drinking in a dorm room one of the safest places to drink on the campus? You don’t have to worry about drinking and driving or walking across a poorly lit campus at 2 in the morning. Every floor on the campus has at least one Resident Assistant. These RAs should know their residents and their general habits. They know when there are people in a room drinking and when it is or isn’t going to become a problem. If it isn’t going to become a problem, they can leave it alone. If it is, then they can ask for it to be broken up or, if necessary, write a citation.
If this happened every time, police would be free to take care of other problems around the campus. This would relieve some of the burden on our police force, therefore requiring fewer new officers. Most importantly, it would get more officers out of the dorms and around the campus, making it a safer place. Students’ perception of University Police would also improve, because they wouldn’t be associated with stopping people from having fun.
I call for Resident Life, University Police and the Student Government Association to work together to change current policies. Make dorms the sole responsibility of Resident Life and, therefore, RAs. Give RAs more freedom to allow safe drinking to occur, but make them more responsible when things get way out of hand. Granted, this will not be easy, but it’s time everyone grew up and realized that underage drinking in the dorms will not change. RAs are getting free room and board; I think it’s time the university starts making them earn it!
Josh Wert
Senior
Mechanical engineering
New leaders will benefit city and students
Tuesday primary was a great day, not only for the City of College Park but also for students. With former University System of Maryland Board of Regents member Jim Rosapepe as our next state senator, we know we can count on an accomplished leader and consensus builder to fight for Route 1 redevelopment and affordable higher education. Rosapepe has been a partner of students and has always been receptive to student input. When student leaders disagreed with his positions, he listened. He listened and then amended his position to better reflect our opinions, and those are the qualities one looks for in a leader. As one of the local officials who fought alongside me for a fully funded tuition freeze earlier this year, I can trust Jim to do the same when need arises.
With Joseline Peña-Melnyk in the House of Delegates, we have another strong advocate for issues concerning College Park. Joseline has worked well with student leaders in the past and will be a strong partner as we continue to make College Park even better.
On the local level, City Councilman Eric Olson will be a strong advocate for us on the county council. Olson has proven through his work with student leaders that he is another progressive leader who doesn’t simply make decisions on his own; he seeks input and uses the feedback he gets from his constituents to make better, informed decisions.
While I am sad to see that Brian Moe, an accomplished delegate and wonderful ally, will not be returning as a state delegate, I am hopeful that Ben Barnes will establish himself as a strong advocate for the region. He does have big shoes to fill.
Here’s to a student-friendly local government!
Jahantab Siddiqui
President
University Commuters Association
