I've just
completed reading two articles, “The Buzz on Campus,” and “Disciplinary
Discrepancies” in the April edition (2014) of your publication. First of all,
I'm excited that these articles made it to the press, as I am continuing to
find NU's newspaper increasing engaging.
At the outset of my letter to you, I'm confused and
irritated by the inability of a select few rational, friendly, and intelligent
students to table their own apparent inconvenienced state—whether that's: not
drinking, abstaining from pre-marital sex, or
resisting the urge (We've
all struggled with it, so no judgment here) to kype a grip of toilet paper.
If you sign a contract, then most normal people, especially
the other party involved in the contract, will expect you to fulfill the
responsibilities, which by your signature, you have agreed to. Signing the
lifestyle contract means you've agreed to abide by the rules therein for your
time as a Northwest Student. Same as any other contract you sign for work,
getting a driver’s license, marriage, etc. The lifestyle contract is not
forever, it’s just for a short time in the grand scheme of things. But either way,
it’s your choice to sign the thing or not.
The
voices for change
YES,
individuals within, and the community as a whole should "challenge the
process" if it's not working. Evaluating our goals and methods as a
committed group of Christians is a very good thing. I recognize that
intelligent, upstanding, well-spoken individuals would like some NU policies to
change. To you who hold integrity in high regard, I give you my appreciation,
and furthermore, my ear.
I find SPU’s alcohol policy to be mature and reasonable—something
I wouldn’t mind seeing NU adopt. However,
there lies a stark contrast between promoting such a change through mature,
proactive means (like face to face conversations with Student Life staff,
President Castleberry, or Pastor Phil) and decidedly grievance-centered talk
directed to people of like opinion and status.
The cries of "Injustice!" from those
who only speak out when it is to their direct, personal benefit (because
they've just broken the contract they signed and want to get out of or whine
about their punishment)—that just doesn't seem the same as first constructively
communicating with individuals in charge of the lifestyle agreement and
disciplinary process. The latter
is the action of a mature, empathetic, community-minded Christian. The former
is the reaction of a person who, it seems to me, cares mostly about his
or her own self.
The time to decide if drinking alcohol is something you
just can't live without (for a few years) is PRIOR to signing the contract. Not
after.
Some
Minor Issues
I'd also like to point out a discrepancy I
noticed between the two articles. In one, apparently "73% [of students
polled] admitted to drinking while attending NU," but in the next,
"Most students at Northwest University
Regarding the “Responsibility to Judge Each Other” section,
I think some people may see the parallels between the handbook’s instruction
for students to confront other students and the first step of the Scriptural process
for confronting wrong doing (set out in Matthew 18:15-17). The quoted student
who “scoffed” at the handbook’s instruction may not have understood the
demeanor implicit to godly confrontation, as Galatians 6:1 outlines, “in
gentleness and humility.”
Under the
“Not the First Time…But Not the Same” heading, the cases are clearly different
in terms the number of offenses, and in what time frame they were committed.
Additionally, Sarah Jobson and Kim Stave oversee different realms of Student
Life. It should be no surprise, therefore, that students in different realms
(apartments vs. dorms, for instance) see different people regarding their
offense(s).
So,
what do I think should be done?
How about all the students bemoaning their poor, poor
existence without alcohol, pranks, sex, or a hoard of T.P. just go have a
frank, civil chat with any member of the Student Development staff. As one
quoted student in the aforementioned articles said, "She took the time to
get to know me." The
professors and staff at NU are not sadistically gallivanting around on a high
horse of justice, slapping innocent students with the cruel, iron-clawed talon
of punishment.
They actually care about us.
They give their time,
attention, and affection to us.
They pray for
us.
I think it's us, students of NU, who don't understand the
proper, life-giving relationship between love and discipline. The two are
married together. The sooner we realize that, the sooner our time at NU will
change from slaving away for a degree under a vague, rumored air of oppression,
to a life of joy supported by practicing thankfulness (true worship). We
actually have a LOT to be grateful for.
Maybe it's time we started using our
voices for rejoicing.
Here, I’ll start. I’m grateful for all the students—whether I agree or disagree with
your opinions—who join in the continuing conversation for improving our school.
I’m grateful for
professors and staff I’ve gotten to know, who consistently show me they care
about me: my joys, difficulties, and in-betweens.
I’m grateful for
a God who I know led me to NU, to spend two wonderful years
engaging in my areas of passionate interest, and enjoying some of the best
relationships a person could ask for.
Sincerely,
Wilson
Pruiett
Northwest
Student
