McNeff needs to show responsibility, not students
Mike Hewett
senior
In her letter on April 29, Jessica Monokroussos decries students who are clamoring "for the University to step in as if it is mommy or daddy," referring to the Boat Club civil lawsuit brought against students by proprietor Mike McNeff. She goes on to say that students should "act like adults and take responsibility for their own actions." I agree completely, Ms. Monokroussos, but I refuse to equate acting responsibly with facing a frivolous lawsuit that, if successful, would put an extra $600,000 in the hands of such a good citizen like McNeff, who was obviously victimized by the deceptive wiles of students.
In my opinion, students have acted quite responsibly in going before a judge regarding their "Minor in a Tavern" citations and receiving their fine and community service requirement from South Bend authorities (in the past this has been $230 and 40 hours, respectively). Furthermore, students come back to campus only to be brought before ResLife for "Conduct Unbecoming a Notre Dame Student," typically resulting in an additional $100 fine. No one, to my knowledge, has asked for any University assistance regarding the proceedings in the South Bend Municipal Court or back here on campus. Rather, students are only seeking assistance in a civil case brought against them by one of the most infamous profiteers of underage drinking during my tenure at Notre Dame.
McNeff is effectively asking the students to pay the fine that he received for running an underage bar. Is that taking responsibility for one's actions?
Students have paid their price — to the South Bend community and to the Notre Dame family — but I find it hard to believe that anyone would demand they "go before the judge, get sentenced and pay the fine" in McNeff's civil lawsuit like you demand, Ms. Monokroussos.
Yes, students are adults and should be treated as such. But from our first days here as freshmen until the time we stand together at commencement, students are constantly reminded by the administration of their status as members of the Notre Dame family, a special community. In my family, when I make a mistake, I am treated as an adult, take responsibility and face my just punishment. But by the same token, a strong family would unite and fight against unjust action directed at some of its members.
Likewise the University should not stand by idly while its students are being attacked by someone who is doing everything in his power to avoid taking responsibility for his own actions. In the future, Ms. Monokroussos, direct your rant to the man who has paid no price for his actions — my fellow students have already paid theirs.
Mike Hewett
senior
off-campus
April 29
All Viewpoint Stories for Wednesday, May 7, 2003
