Telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

Editorial

While checking facts regarding Elon community leaders for an editorial regarding their concern for students, The Pendulum encountered a troubling fact: students are frequently and unjustifiably denied basic information regarding their campus community.

Forty-nine local high school students were arrested on drug related charges this month after parents urged local school and police officials to crack down on drug users. The leaders’ goals – to help students at risk and teach others civil responsibility. Community guardians in Alamance County identified a social problem and took action to improve the situation.

Such problems with drug and alcohol use, hazing and abuse occur at Elon – and in some cases are addressed appropriately on a case-by-case basis. But are Elon administrators, faculty and staff and community leaders doing enough to protect students, ensure their welfare and administer justice? Often students are kept in the dark about information they need to know.

The Elon University Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy Statement outlines Elon’s approach to student use of drugs and alcohol as one of education and accountability.

Many students at Elon engage in illegal use of alcohol and drugs but are residence advisors engaged enough with their residents to prevent an accident or health problem by reporting intoxicated students?

Are campus security officers involved in policing all potential law violations fully and equally? Some students have expressed concern to The Pendulum regarding the campus safety and police director’s involvement as staff advisor to a student fraternity. Examining this issue further, The Pendulum approached the Office of Greek Life to obtain a list of faculty/staff advisors to Greek organizations Wednesday but was denied access to this basic information by Melissa Komasz, assistant director of Greek life.

Komasz insisted that the Office of Greek Life was concerned about releasing the names of faculty/staff advisors, as faculty/staff advisors may become upset if such information were to be made public.

In a previous incident, the Office of Greek Life has denied The Pendulum information regarding a violent fight involving students in Greek programs, acknowledging only that the office would conduct an in-house investigation of the problem.

The Pendulum has also encountered difficulties obtaining information regarding hazing incidents within sports programs. Last year when a student was said to have been abused by fellow team members, the team’s coach refused to release information confirming any investigation that might have been taken regarding the incident. Team players told The Pendulum they were told not to speak on the issue.

Honor code investigations and board proceedings are vital aspects of university life necessary for determining Elon’s climate for social accountability and justice. Pendulum reporters have expressed discontent with the information available through the office for judicial affairs in the past. The Pendulum contacted J. Scott Nelson, assistant dean of students and Elon judicial officer, Wednesday regarding the nature of information available for student knowledge of judicial affairs. Nelson distinguished available information as that which does not violate student privacy laws as outlined by the government. Nelson agreed to meet with Pendulum editors this week to determine what may be published in the future.

The Pendulum is fighting for students’ right to information – a key to understanding the campus community and then approaching change in an informed manner. Elon faculty, staff, administrators and community leaders do not have the right to withhold basic, public information from students by denying campus media access to information such as the names of advisors for student organizations.