Letters to the Editor

Dorm evictions are fair

I think that the University is doing nothing wrong when they evict students on their first offense (Dorm evictions leave some out in the cold, Dec. 2). The primary reason for students to go to college is to learn the trade that they will perform for the rest of their life. They are not going to college to party. While it is possible to find a balance for partying and studying, if someone gets caught, then I think that they should be evicted for not being smart enough in their actions. The policy that the University of New Hampshire is clearly outlined, and it is up to students to be fully aware of their surroundings. Its time they take their own life into their hands, and become responsible with their own actions. If you infract the rules, then expect to pay the consequences. Jeff Holland Freshman, WSBE

Alcohol policies are unclear

Re: The new policy of internal possession that Student Senate recommended that was reported on (UNH changes policy on internal possession, Dec. 2). There are two issues that are troubling to me. Nowhere in the language of the resolution or the article are there any details given to how RAs or Hall Directors will prove that a student is intoxicated or guilty of internal possession. While I realize the school does not follow the same guidelines as police, for something like internal possession there can be a lot of gray area and he said she said. If someone has bottles in their room they can be photographed and used as evidence. How can anyone prove without a Breathalyzer test that someone is drunk? Doesn't this give a lot of power to the conduct system? From experience, I know that while the conduct office tries to be comfortable, when there's only a "more likely than not" requirement for conviction, and there's no proof of intoxication beyond what someone might say, I can see a lot of room for "he said, she said" in the conduct office. There needs to be some concrete way to prove someone is intoxicated. Beyond that, I agree with Scott Chesney, this new rule will do absolutely nothing to stop underage drinking and will only create mistrust between student and hall staff because no one will even want to go near a RA if they were at a party and they smell like alcohol. This policy seems like it needs more fine-tuning before it can be implemented fairly and effectively.

Jeff Brunelle Junior, COLA

Electronics policy is about respect

In your December 2 feature on electronic distractions in classrooms (Faculty seeks to hide the cells, Dec. 2), senior Morgan Dorval is quoted as saying, "I just think because we pay to go here if we're not paying attention it's our money that we're losing you know?"  As someone with profound respect for the purposeful assembly of the classroom, I reject this consumerist model for education:  hey, I'm only losing my money and that's my right, right?  From long experience, both as a performer and as a professor, I know that much more than the price of one person's admission ticket-or tuition--is lost when the ring tone goes off, the guy in the third row snores, somebody in the middle of the row comes late or gets up and leaves mid-performance. What is also lost is the focus of the performer/professor.  Those who spend years preparing to be worthy to stand before an audience or a classroom are not cyborgs; they can be distracted by even one student's inattention (or unshielded yawn, or cell phone).  What is lost, in tiny increments with each interruption, is the performer's will to give his best.  What is lost is respect for others in the hall who want to listen, to connect, to learn, to be inspired.  What is lost is due respect for intellectual exchange, the thrilling and transporting connection that can take place when minds are equally engaged.  One boorish gesture breaks the spell. I would invite any student or audience member (or colleague at a conference) who thinks response, or lack thereof, has no impact on performance to consider the Golden Rule.  A tough crowd - texting, beeping, behaving badly - is tough luck for everyone.

Georgeann Murphy, Ph.D. Coordinator, International Research Opportunities Program (IROP)