President Theobald announces new partying policies
‘We recognize that social events are part of college life, and as long as these events are conducted in a safe, respectable manner, they are acceptable’
An official message from Temple University President Neil D. Theobald was sent out this past week regarding new campus policies that will go into effect immediately. These new changes seem like an attempt to bridge the gap between the University and the North Philadelphia community, but more importantly, they seem like an endeavor to make sure student offenders are held accountable for their actions that would otherwise be considered unlawful off campus.
The new policies have received both criticism and support from the student body and the community at large respectively.
Some students however, feel that these initiatives are crucial if the University is to ever overcome the social tensions both on and off campus. Many students consider President Theobald’s executive actions a response to the many instances of racially motivated harassments that have occurred off campus by Temple Students. While other students believe that cracking down on students in this matter ignores the fact that non-student members of the community also harass and commit crimes against students. One student noted that he can “personally attest to being harassed and provoked by some of the black neighborhood residents while simply walking down the street minding my own business.”
But students complain as much as the community does when it comes to off campus incidents, and the University realizes that this issue is central to “peak party times” which is why President Theobald believes that these new policies are appropriate. There is no doubt that though these new actions, Temple University will start holding students accountable for their unlawful actions. More importantly President Theobald made note that the University administration will be working constructively with the newly elected Temple Student Government.