With Article 129-A, student groups at Binghamton University have lives (and sanctions) of their own.
Now that the New York state education law has graced the books here at BU, the University officially has the right of way when bringing charges against student groups ‘ and we’re a little concerned.
Student groups can now be treated in the same way individual students can, and punished ‘ with sanctions as severe as losing student group space ‘ in the same way, too.
Granted, as a student-run newspaper, we’re biased toward groups and organizations composed of our peers, but permit us to be skeptical when another tentacle of power looms over our heads.
The prospect of judicial action against student groups who do as little as chalk on pavement or engage in a little enthusiastic postering is worrying, but not as worrying as the mysteries of the Judicial system itself. In fact, though Article 129-A is in its second academic year here at BU, there is still no clearly defined or decided method for the University to bring charges and sanctions against student groups.
Nonetheless, we can (and do!) appreciate the efforts being made to inform student organizations about the new law and what they can be found responsible for. All too often students find the University’s expectations of conduct and punishment shrouded in a policy of don’t ask, don’t tell, and we don’t like it.
The emphasis being placed on certification and the inclusion of the law in student group constitutions is impressive. There is little on this campus which pleases us more than seeing administrators and students interact positively.
Indeed, another workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 15, is being held with the hopes of getting even more student groups certified (see Page 1).
Now that the Student Association is no longer in charge of sanctions for naughty student groups, they’re being kept out of the process in other ways. It seems that the body which deals most directly with student groups, with everything from finance to the newly initiated Student Group Council, might have a place in the system.
We can only hope that student groups take advantage of the available information regarding Article 129-A, and that this protocol doesn’t become the sole arbiter of justice for student groups.