By Aleasha Sandley, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — Anderson University President James Edwards stood strongly by the school’s alcohol policy Wednesday, saying the rule allowed AU to foster a community unique to other colleges.
Edwards, Associate Dean of Students Tim Johnson and Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Brent Baker answered questions about the alcohol policy in front of more than 200 students gathered at a forum hosted by the Student Government Association.
“I’ve heard from a number of people across the country,” Edwards said. “The most overwhelming message is, ‘I came to this college because of the policies here, and I don’t want them to change.’”
AU, a Christian university founded upon principles of the Church of God, has had an alcohol policy in place since 1917 deeming it inappropriate for students to possess or consume alcohol or be in the presence of other AU students with alcohol.
On Tuesday, a group of students protested the alcohol policy by marching to a downtown bar, where some ordered alcoholic drinks.
Edwards said the policy had been in place since the beginning of the university.
“It would never have been a thought that this was not an appropriate policy for a church-related organization,” he said. “It was the nature of the institution to hold up those kinds of policies.”
The panel clarified the alcohol rules to students, who asked why they couldn’t be trusted to be responsible.
“This is a place that fosters diversity intentionally,” fifth-year senior Ryan Hutsell said. “(The policy) may rob some of us here of examples of people that do drink and think it’s OK and are responsible.”
Still, Edwards said the policy was not likely to change in the near future, but rather stressed the importance of the dialog between students and the idea they sowed.
“Pieces may be changed over time to how the community and our expectations are enforced,” Edwards said. “Any change that introduces more alcohol to the learning experience is not going to be welcome.”
Other practices at AU have been changed however, including former policies that did not allow holding hands between opposite sex students, dancing or playing cards.
The alcohol policy, however, is there for a reason, said Edwards, who cited alcohol abuse as the No. 1 problem on college campuses.
Others on the panel were concerned about student safety and said the university’s role was to protect students from the dangers of alcohol.
“We’re really concerned about the safety of freshmen women,” Baker said. “Somebody has got to get in the way. Even if it’s only one time, somebody can get in the way and save someone’s life.”
Student Caroline Schoeff, a junior, asked whether the forum was a chance for students to discuss why the policy should change or for administrators to tell them why it wouldn’t change.
“The people who are going to drink drink regardless of the rule, and the people who aren’t going to drink don’t drink regardless of the rule,” she said. “The only thing this policy would do would be to allow people not to get in trouble.”
Most parents, students and former students who contacted Edwards on Wednesday were in support of upholding the policy, he said.
“It’s an intentional community,” Baker said. “You check some rights you might have by law at the door. There’s some things you may have to give up in terms of a broader community.”
Johnson said the university’s community was unique, and students should embrace that.
“Your families are really sacrificing for you to be here,” he said.
Edwards said it wouldn’t be the board of trustees or financial supporters who would leave the school if it changed the alcohol policy, but the parents.
“If we decide to change the fundamental character of this institution, we would have an enormous enrollment issue,” he said.
Baker said out of 103 schools within the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, only two had policies that allowed drinking off-campus.
Administrators were surprised at the students’ demonstration on Tuesday, Edwards said, and that they resorted to that before opening a dialog.
Student Government Association President Josh MacInnes hosted the forum Wednesday and said the organization’s goal of an open dialog had been accomplished, though the SGA wasn’t for or against changing the policy.
The SGA meets about four times a semester with the president’s executive staff to discuss issues brought forth by the student body.
“It’s an amazing thing to be able to have a dialog like this,” MacInnes said. “My hope is that it doesn’t stop here.”
Contact Aleasha Sandley: 640-4805, aleasha.sandley@heraldbulletin.com.
