GUEST COLUMNISTS: UA: Let your voice be heard

Until recently, no one other than the Office of Student Conduct was notified of your citation. Not anymore. The law that had long protected student privacy rights -- the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, a.k.a. The Buckley Amendment -- has recently been amended by Congress to allow universities to disclose to parents certain instances in which their sons and daughters have violated the school's drug and alcohol policy. Universities across the country are suddenly faced with creating "parental notification policies" to govern when they will release such information to parents. Now the question is, what will Penn do? The University released a statement in The Almanac today detailing a series of recommendations concerning parental notification. The new policy will not be made official until after a consultation period extending through October 15. Under the recommendations, parents would be notified in one of two cases: first, if the student faces eviction from a University residence by virtue of previous citations for underage possession or consumption; second, if the student has injured themselves or others in connection with an alcohol violation. The reasons for this policy may not at first seem apparent. Most Penn students are legal adults over the age of 18 and are responsible for their own actions. But considering that multiple infractions are required before a parent is notified of their child's alcohol citations, the proposed measure seems intended to promote health and safety, rather than serve as a punitive measure. Under no circumstances will a student be penalized for receiving treatment at HUP. This is not a closed issue. Some students feel that a three-strikes policy should be considered, with the first infraction being wiped from a student's record after attending alcohol education. Others have stated that the policy should only pertain to citations given within a two-year period. But to students who think that notification is a severe infringement on personal privacy, we would ask the following: If after receiving multiple citations and attending seminars and counseling a student continues to commit alcohol-related infractions, perhaps the University has done all it can. Isn't it then time to ask for support from parents and family? And to students who think that the new alcohol notification policy is a good idea, we would ask a different question: Aren't you concerned that the University would be infringing on your right to personal privacy? Shouldn't each student be responsible for themselves? In any event, students should seriously consider the implications of parental notification. This measure concerns the privacy, personal privileges, and safety of all undergraduates at Penn. The Undergraduate Assembly would like to invite your participation in an open forum with the administration on Wednesday, September 29, at 6 p.m. in Logan Hall, Room 17. Your thoughts and concern do matter. Make them heard.

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