Dear Talon Staff,

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 live a definitively clean, Christian lifestyle. They don’t drink…" Logically, it is difficult to reconcile the two statements. But I don’t want to commit the same error I decry. I’d like to offer my opinion in service of solution-minded dialogue.

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