On Monday, N.C. State’s James B. Hunt Jr. Library hosted a public forum regarding campus safety at all 17 UNC-System schools. The forum, sponsored by the UNC Campus Security Initiative, allowed students, parents and faculty members to voice their opinions concerning sexual assault and drug and alcohol use among college students. The Technician is glad the universities are having this discussion, and we are largely in support of what university administrators had to say. However, some of the ideas suggested by the event’s attendees were unrealistic and therefore worried us. For example, some parents advocated for zero tolerance education regarding alcohol use. The Technician doesn’t support zero tolerance policies, as they have been proven ineffective. In fact, the American Psychological Association’s Zero Tolerance Task Force found that not only is zero tolerance ineffective, but it may actually increase instances of alcohol use. The Technician supports teaching safe alcohol use rather than abstinence.
But the Technician does support some of the other proposals, including standardizing alcohol and drug education at all UNC-System schools. Additionally, we agree that universities should make it a priority to teach students the policies and consequences of alcohol and drug use on campus.
Though the editorial board of the Technician has not frequently seen eye to eye with Gov. Pat McCrory, we commend him for signing Senate Bill 20, commonly known as “911 Good Samaritan” laws, in April. SB20 provides limited criminal immunity from prosecution charges to underage drinkers who seek help for alcohol poisoning. The immunity also applies to people who call 911 to report an overdose. By limiting the prosecution charges, the law demonstrates a greater concern for people’s lives than concern for making money by pressing charges.
The Technician applauds the universities for having this discussion. The UNC Campus Security Initiative will continue to hold public forums before presenting its serious proposals to the UNC Board of Governors.
