On-Campus Party Results in Numerous Code of Conduct Violations
Photo illustration provided by Rampage student photographer Abby Gasperson.
A party on campus in January at Bluestone Commons has created a stir amongst students this semester.
After an investigation by Campus Safety and BU Student Development into the gathering, Dean of Students Chris Johnson confirmed that a number of student conduct codes listed in the Student Handbook were violated during the party, including policies related to visitation, alcohol, hosting disruptive gatherings, and presence/knowing contribution.
According to the Student Handbook, visitation (or open room hours) are Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. In addition, visitors of the opposite sex must be signed in at all times and are not permitted in residence halls for any reason after visitation hours have ended. Failure to adhere to the visitation policy, the Handbook says, will result in loss of visitation privileges and potentially other sanctions deemed necessary by the university.
Regarding alcohol, the Student Handbook states that possession, consumption, and/or distribution of alcoholic beverages are prohibited on campus. Underage drinking — both on and off campus — is also prohibited. Regarding the knowing/presence policy, the Handbook says that students who do not report a known violation may be held responsible for participation in the violation, such as being present in a residence hall room when alcohol is being consumed.
“It is important to note that the party in question isn’t just about alcohol,” Johnson said. “Yes, we are a dry campus. However, a large gathering of students and individuals that aren’t students after visitation hours raises many concerns related to the safety and well-being of everyone involved.”
The Student Handbook also states that students living on campus may not host a “disruptive party, gathering or event which disturbs or impacts the peace of another.” Gatherings that disturb the peace of others or that involve excessive noise are considered “disruptive,” and any host or student who participates in such an activity, the Handbook says, is subject to disciplinary action. If alcohol is involved in such disruptive parties, suspension or expulsion from the university may occur. Bluestone Commons resident Nathan LePere spoke about the disruption.
“It was less hearing and more feelings,” LePere said in describing the noise of the party. “I couldn’t hear the music, but I could feel the bass shaking the whole building.”
Johnson said he could not disclose how many students were present at the party and what security footage revealed to campus investigators. He also said he could not share the details related to incident reports filed by Campus Safety and the consequences students faced. Sharing those details, he added, would be a breach of privacy for the students involved.
Additionally, Johnson said he understands that some students may have concerns about the strictness of the Code of Conduct. As it relates to alcohol, he said BU is a dry/alcohol-free campus for two primary reasons.
“First, half of our student population is under the legal drinking age of 21,” Johnson said. “In order to best ensure the safety of under-aged students, it is best to not have alcohol present on campus at all. Second, we firmly believe that every Bluefield University student can have a rich, fulfilling, fun, and transformational university experience without the use of alcohol and other intoxicants.”
Toward that end, Johnson encouraged students to consider John 10:10: “I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” He said the university’s sincere hope is that students would experience that abundant life during their time at BU.
“Pursuing alcohol or partying in order to feel welcomed by a group of peers or to numb away the pain we feel in life or cope with the stress of all of the demands we face on a daily basis isn’t a fulfilling life,” Johnson said. “If we’re honest with ourselves, those pursuits almost always leave us feeling emptier than when we started. Jesus wants to be the fulfillment of our deepest concerns, and He wishes to be the Lord of our lives so that we can live in the way in which we ought, the way in which we were designed.”
Johnson said he also understands that some students would like to see certain rules changed.
“My encouragement is for those students to get involved in student leadership,” Johnson said. “We have a Student Government Association for a reason. We need students to run for office. Student input is so valuable. I am currently working with our team to rewrite many segments of the Student Handbook. My hope is that students will engage in that process with us.”
Lastly, Johnson said he would like to encourage students to reach out to the Office of Student Development with any concerns they may have.
“My office door is open,” he said. “Our entire team desperately wants to meet with students and walk alongside them in their educational journey. The years a student spends at BU are meant to be some of the most transformative of their life, and we hope to have the privilege of joining them in that path.”