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 Song
Analysis
David Casto
Eng 102
Dr.Sloane
When we are home leave us alone
A recent question on campus is whether West Virginia University
has the authority to punish students for off campus activity. It
has sparked a variety of opinions. The major contrast in opinions
is that of WVU jurisdiction. Some feel that WVU is trying to keep
their students in a safe environment by monitoring there off campus
activity. Others like myself believe that WVU is invading our personal
lives by trying to punish us for our activities off campus for which
they have no jurisdiction.
This question has become a heated argument at WVU after the football
team beat Virginia Tech. The fans emptied into the off campus streets
to celebrate the victory. The crowds began to burn things, some
of which were their own personal couches. The fires began to grow
and the local fire department was called in to take care of the
situation. The crowds were disbursed and no one was seriously injured.
The following day many complaints were made over the student’s
actions from the night before, especially about the fires. Although
these activities happened off campus the university still stepped
in to take care of disciplinary actions. Hundreds of students participated
in the night of madness, but only a few had to pay the consequences.
WVU authorities suspended these students. This is a prime example
of WVU wrongly using their power to punish students for off campus
activities. Joel Mumford agreed with my thoughts by stating:
WVU cannot participate in it’s own version of a civil trial.
If they wish to do so, then they must bring the issue through the
court system and let me be judged by a jury of my peers.
It is understandable to see where WVU thinks they are justly punishing
these students, but they are simply outside of their boundaries.
The fact is that these students did break the law. They should all
be punished, but by the right authority. The city authorities must
take care of these situations. I think the Daily Athenaeum reiterates
my views by saying:
We're not saying what they are doing is legal. By definition, deliberately
setting fire to anything without a permit, whether it be a couch
or a desk or even a pile of leaves, is illegal. And those who violate
should definitely be punished by city authorities.
If none of these students protest West Virginia University's unfair
and probably illegal rulings I would venture to say it will only
get worse.
The couch burning issue is just one of many instances where WVU
has punished students for off campus activities. We are faced with
making a decision to either fight for our rights off campus or to
succumb to West Virginia University's total control over our actions.
I for one still believe that this is an invasion of our personal
lives and that WVU loses jurisdiction over me as soon as I leave
the campus.
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