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Letter: Senator says stick it to the Narragansett sticker policy
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Editorial/Opinion
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10/04/07 - To the Cigar,
My name is Thomas Ahrens and I am the External Affairs chairman for your Student Senate. Our committee handles all issues concerning student life off-campus at local, state and federal levels. I write to you today concerning the new amendments to the Narragansett "Unruly Gatherings" ordinance.
URI Students commonly refer to this as the "Sticker Policy" which potentially, and rather subjectively, brands front doors of off-campus students with their own scarlet letter - a bright orange sticker. This policy publicly demeans and discriminates students in the Narragansett community. Many new changes to this ordinance were passed on Sept. 4, 2007 - one day before the academic semester began.
Many students, myself included, were moving into our houses or residence halls that day. It is very easy to pass an ordinance without any opposition. We as students play a large role in the present and future of this community. The Town Council neglected its student population and our opinions when amending an already controversial ordinance.
I was interested to know the changes when I first heard about the new policy, as all of you should be now. The senate office has copies available, but I will highlight a few sections which alarmed me. Let's start at the top with the first sentence of the ordinance. "It shall be a public nuisance to conduct a gathering of five or more persons." Congratulations! Apparently, all students who live with four roommates are qualified for the sticker. Another section states, "Any notice posted between Sept. 1 and May 31 of any year shall remain posted until May 31."
Many of you plagued by the sticker last year know about the 60-day sentence. This year they feel it is appropriate to increase the sentence. Also, there is no longer a specific period of time but instead an ending date. Therefore, those who receive a sticker the first week of school will have it for the entire academic year. Page three continues with monetary penalties. Students now must pay a mandatory fine of $300 for the first offense, with a discretionary decision for community service. Once the paper work is processed, the Narragansett Police Department forwards the information to the school, which in return might further penalize students and/or send a letter home.
It is time for students to stand together against this policy. Student Senate is fully committed to seeing this issue through until positive changes are made. There is power in numbers. Get involved and voice your opinion! Fifteen thousand people can do remarkable things. Stop by the senate office and ask for a copy of the ordinance.
Student Senate will offer an open forum for students to come voice their opinion. Come by the office in Room 201 of the Memorial Union if you have any questions or want to get involved. You may also e-mail me at external.affairs@hotmail.com.
Thomas Ahrens
My name is Thomas Ahrens and I am the External Affairs chairman for your Student Senate. Our committee handles all issues concerning student life off-campus at local, state and federal levels. I write to you today concerning the new amendments to the Narragansett "Unruly Gatherings" ordinance.
URI Students commonly refer to this as the "Sticker Policy" which potentially, and rather subjectively, brands front doors of off-campus students with their own scarlet letter - a bright orange sticker. This policy publicly demeans and discriminates students in the Narragansett community. Many new changes to this ordinance were passed on Sept. 4, 2007 - one day before the academic semester began.
Many students, myself included, were moving into our houses or residence halls that day. It is very easy to pass an ordinance without any opposition. We as students play a large role in the present and future of this community. The Town Council neglected its student population and our opinions when amending an already controversial ordinance.
I was interested to know the changes when I first heard about the new policy, as all of you should be now. The senate office has copies available, but I will highlight a few sections which alarmed me. Let's start at the top with the first sentence of the ordinance. "It shall be a public nuisance to conduct a gathering of five or more persons." Congratulations! Apparently, all students who live with four roommates are qualified for the sticker. Another section states, "Any notice posted between Sept. 1 and May 31 of any year shall remain posted until May 31."
Many of you plagued by the sticker last year know about the 60-day sentence. This year they feel it is appropriate to increase the sentence. Also, there is no longer a specific period of time but instead an ending date. Therefore, those who receive a sticker the first week of school will have it for the entire academic year. Page three continues with monetary penalties. Students now must pay a mandatory fine of $300 for the first offense, with a discretionary decision for community service. Once the paper work is processed, the Narragansett Police Department forwards the information to the school, which in return might further penalize students and/or send a letter home.
It is time for students to stand together against this policy. Student Senate is fully committed to seeing this issue through until positive changes are made. There is power in numbers. Get involved and voice your opinion! Fifteen thousand people can do remarkable things. Stop by the senate office and ask for a copy of the ordinance.
Student Senate will offer an open forum for students to come voice their opinion. Come by the office in Room 201 of the Memorial Union if you have any questions or want to get involved. You may also e-mail me at external.affairs@hotmail.com.
Thomas Ahrens
