Daily Campus

It's so sad that on one page of the DC there is an article illustrating the ever-remaining problem of alcohol abuse by first years and on another, an article where the Senate votes in favor of restricting police enforcement in fraternity houses. I think its safe to assume the issue of underage drinking (among other illegal activities) is at root in both situations, as well as an inherent disregard for law enforcement. The Senate's action on this legislation seems to imply that SMU students are above the scope of the law, and supervision by the administration is excessive. Surely, neither of these implications will be found outside the "SMU bubble." There will always be over-head supervision in the work-force, in addition to an expectation to adhere to the law in every venue of society.

Hasn't SMU learned anything from the alcohol and drug-related deaths on our campus only a few years ago? It seems not. I understand the importance of privacy just as much as anyone, but at what cost should I be willing to give it up? For me, one SMU student's death was more than enough to make me reconsider the value of my own privacy. I'm disheartened that this may not be the case with those fraternity men who support this legislation, or the other Senators who passed it.

Being a former fraternity member, I certainly had my fair share of drunken debauchery accompanied with decisions I found myself to regret the following mornings. In one case, I even discovered upon waking that my previous night's sleep was spent in the UP Jail. And, if that realization wasn't enough to make me utterly confused and embarrassed, being read my rights by the local judge while standing in nothing but my boxers surely did the trick. On top of having to bail myself out of jail and find my way back to campus (admittedly, somewhat hung-over or still drunk) I faced fines, probation, and counseling at SMU. I was essentially being punished twice, once by University Park and once by SMU.

I still question whether this combined UP & SMU punishment was fair or right, over-excessive and maybe even inappropriate; but the fact is that I was drunk, underage and a danger to myself. Thus, I'm very grateful for the SMU Police Department because when it comes down to it, had the police not found me passed out in the middle of "frat alley," and had they not taken custody of me, my story could have been very different. Instead, my case could have been added to the discomforting number of alcohol-related student deaths at SMU.

In my opinion, the students on our campus need to take responsibility for their actions. This simply means, that if a student is mindful of the legal consequences and university reprimands that accompany his/her choice to abuse alcohol or drugs, then that student should accept those ramifications and move on with life. Furthermore, if a student makes the choice to obey the law and abide by the university's policies by abstaining from the abuse of alcohol or drugs, then the student shouldn't be offended when a law-enforcement officer is upholding the law with the best interest and safety of SMU students in mind.

I end with this, if "frat guys" are doing what they vow to do in their fraternities' obligations and oaths, and act always with those guiding principles in mind, then our campus probably wouldn't be facing the problems it is. I remember, in my own fraternity ritual, "vowing upon my honor" to strive constantly to improve myself, my brotherhood, and my community. I fear this latest legislation, passed by the Senate, is not only contrary to every fraternities' principles, but is against what SMU represents as a whole.

The horse issue is ridiculous - the "mascot" of the SMU Mustangs is an untrained and mean little shetland pony - Ms. Pickens gives us 2 beautifully trained American Mustangs and we take this ridiculous position. I wonder who spearheaded this, Mr. Turner ?
What ever happened to gratitude ?
Does EVERYTHING have to boil down to self centered fear ?
Ms. Pickens is trying to save the American Mustang from a Bureau of Land Management program that uses the Mustang for self-dealing/kickbacks/death of the horses for profit, etc.
It is time to grow up people !

Brad Cummins,

Peruna is SMU's mascot. Not wanting Ms. Pickens to jack with our 75+ year tradition has nothing to do with supporting or not supporting Ms. Pickens' desire to save American horses.

Peruna is an untrained, uncastrated mean little shetland pony - the perfect example of a MUSTANG and the reason that "Mustangs" were chosen as SMU's mascot in the first place. 2 trained, castrated horses with saddles and riders are not Mustangs, and are not our mascots.

What I really don't understand is why the Pickens didn't give the horses to Oklahoma State - a horse with a rider goes well with their "Cowboys" mascot. I think those horses would have fit right in at Mr. Pickens alma mater in the stadium bearing his name.

Peruna is my mascot, and I'd like to see the University hold on to the few remaining traditions. Can you even imagine the uproar if someone tried to replace Reveille or Bevo in the name of some "cause"? You are right about 1 thing, Mr. Cummins, this horse issue IS ridiculous!