Senators pass revised hall dance resolution unanimously
MEGHANNE DOWNES
Assistant News Editor
In their last meeting of the school year, the Senate revisited the proposed alcohol policy and unanimously passed a new resolution concerning in-hall dances.
This resolution differs from the 11th-hour resolution that the Senate passed before Father Mark Poorman, vice president for Student Affairs, formally announced the proposed alcohol policy changes at a March 25 Campus Life Council meeting. That resolution failed to make the 2/3 majority by one vote.
Kevin Connolly, chair of the Residence Life Committee, said the first resolution "criticized the way in which the policy was drafted" and addressed more than in-hall dances. This resolution also strongly stressed the lack of student involvement in the formation of the alcohol policy.
The first resolution stated that in-hall dances should be reinstated, while the second resolution resolves that "in-hall dances be allowed to continue for a probationary period of one year, after which they will be assessed in light of the ban on hard alcohol and increased student awareness."
"If we do concede the hard alcohol aspect, then why not give us this probationary period?" said Connolly.
At the March 25 meeting, Father John Herman, O'Neill Hall rector, suggested that the in-hall dances be put on a probationary period of a year and to observe how students react and dance operate under the new guidelines. He cited that after the O'Neill Mardi Gras was put on probation, residents realized the risk of loosing their signature event.
"No one knew that they were in danger of dances being taken away across the board," said Connolly.
The resolution includes a clause stating, "many students were unaware of the gravity and frequency of problems arising from in-hall dances and the concern of administrators."
Connolly said that the student realization of loosing in-hall dances and the new restrictions under the alcohol policy would diminish the problems that contributed to the decision to eliminate in-hall dances.
In other Senate news:
u The three possible topics for the Fall report to the Board of Trustees include the following: student participation in University policy making, procedures of the Office of Residence Life and Housing, and a plan for the Office of Drug and Alcohol Education.
uAfter meeting with administrators this week, Libby Bishop, student body president, said that the new policy regarding tailgating will not be in effect this weekend for the Blue-Gold game.
u Matt Kinsella, sophomore class treasurer, was approved as the class treasurer to serve on the Financial Management Board.
All News Stories for Thursday, April 25, 2002
