By Paige Van Bruggen
Dear Editor,
This week I noticed there were no reports of Public Safety responding to calls for assistance with an intoxicated student in the Beacon Safety Report. I couldn't help but think that other students must be having the same thought process as me. Recently, an underage friend was brought to my house from a party. The student was extremely intoxicated and exhibiting unusual symptoms. A group of us (all over 21) were debating whether or not the person needed to go to the ER. While we weighed all of the evidence, one thing we unanimously agreed on was that we would not call Public Safety for help. Why would we? It's a guarantee that if you call P-safe for help regarding an intoxicated, underage student they will issue an MIP. This not only brings about an unpleasant judicial hearing, but fines, writing an essay, and attending a Choices class taught by other underage students you most likely have drank with before. Even more threatening are the possible repercussions with Study Abroad or ROTC. In retrospect, I feel let down by Public Safety and UP. It's policies are more focused on discipline than the safety of the student. Ultimately, I fear that someone will die of alcohol poisoning because their friends were afraid to call for help. I think the administration and Public Safety need to re-assess where their values really lay -the safety of students or adhering to a strict alcohol policy.
