Parietal priorities leave students little choice
Sarah Ryan
senior
I was somewhat disheartened when I read today's article on parietal violations, particularly the portion about Michelle Merlo. I cannot believe that someone was given such a severe penalty for a parietal violation that was discovered because she exited a male dorm during a fire alarm.
I had been under the mistaken impression that the University would consider the welfare of the individual in a case like this. I would think that a parietal violator, who would most likely not have been caught had there not been a fire alarm, would be treated more lightly.
The forced move off-campus, eventually into another dorm, and ban from her former hall is appalling. I don't know the circumstances surrounding Michelle's case, but I know that almost anyone can fall asleep somewhere and wake up at an odd hour by accident. If it happens to be in a guy's (or girl's) dorm, who wouldn't wait it out and leave after parietals are over?
Basically, if my understanding is correct, the University is saying, if you are breaking parietals for whatever reason and a fire alarm goes off, you'd better not go outside, and you'd better pray that it's just a drill. Since if you do step outside, and someone in authority sees you, you will be mercilessly thrown in front of Residence Life and effectively ostracized from the community. I don't see the sense in that.
Sarah Ryan
senior
Pasqerilla West
February 15, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, February 16, 2001
