Many students on campus are very upset over strict drinking or partying guidelines the administration have instated, claiming that we are responsible students and can handle less rigid restrictions. Such restrictions include the Delta Tau Delta fraternity being put on an extra term of probation, the necessity of a “party permit” when hosting more than a small number of friends at a gathering, pesky RLA’s and noise violations, and the ever so popular Code of Student Responsibility (as given in the Student Handbook).These restrictions may seem outlandish, and students are willing to argue with anyone who will listen to diminish part or all of constraints given by the administration. However, complaining will not work. That is why some concerned students have taken action. They write articles in popular campus newspapers, consult with administration members in meetings, and lastly, but most importantly as it seems to be the most popular choice of protest, is to blatantly break the rules given.
Within the past few weekends, some students have chosen to be martyrs, and defy the administration. There was a fire alarm pulled in Sage Hall two weekends ago, along with a physical fight involving a Lawrence student and an Appletonian. The incidents were not isolated, as a student found it righteous to throw a chair from the student union over the footbridge this past weekend. In addition, every year there are many students who resist alcohol awareness, by being rushed to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.
These protesters’ activism may be well intended; but unfortunately, in reality they do not exemplify responsible, caring, individuals to the Appleton community or our administration.
I say, keep fighting! I want to have fun, and the defiant students are the ones who know how to produce an enjoyable charismatic atmosphere. However, as fun loving as these students are, their bold tactics of breaking the rules and then begging the administration for more freedom, while claiming to not be the rabble-rousers, seems to be a failed attempt. A different approach may to lay low for a while, and really show how mature we as a student body really are.