Editorial
Letter to the editor, February 23
By Noelle Niznik, Director of Student Activities
February 23, 2017
Tags letter to the editor
In response to the opinion article in the 2/16 issue on the current late night jitney policy:
Issues related to inappropriate behavior and disrespect on the Late Night Shuttle arise periodically, including this semester. One consistent thread is students’ lack of responsibility as it relates to riding the shuttle. It’s easy to point the finger at the Administration or the student ride-alongs, but most students never admit that they or their peers are causing the problems.
Case in point, the student that wrote last week’s (2/16) opinion piece, “Current Late Nite Jitney Policy for Underage Students Encourages Unsafe Behavior,” discusses how the Administration is forcing students to “offer up the least drunk person to drive” downtown. In other words, suggesting that it is the College’s responsibility to transport drunk underage students to bars because they will otherwise choose to drive and if they do, the College is responsible. The Administration does not in any way condone or encourage drunk driving. Students are responsible for their choices and actions, and some recent actions do not argue for an easing of the rules or transporting larger numbers of students to the Village. This past weekend an underage student denied entry on the bus stood in the middle of Martin’s Way making an obscene gesture and not letting the bus pass. Previous weekends students blocked the road in the Village and pushed and shoved their way onto the bus in order to return to campus. Like I said, why would we exacerbate the existing Late Night Shuttle issues with more drunk and disrespectful people?
If students want to discuss changing the Late Night Shuttle policies, they should first consider that their peers are causing the problems, not the College. In order for change to come, it will first have to come from students acting responsibly and treating the Late Night Shuttle staff with respect. As the person who oversees the Jitney service and Late Night Shuttle, I welcome any constructive feedback about how to improve the service.
Sincerely,
Noelle Niznik, Director of Student Activities