Despite our not-so-positive review of the Missouri Students Association’s legislative activities (or lack thereof) in Tuesday’s editorial, we at The Maneater would like to point out some recent, positive achievements of MSA, specifically from Wednesday night. All retention and attendance problems aside, most of the senators who did attend Senate on Wednesday showed support for a truly meaningful cause.
MSA’s passage of the Good Samaritan resolution is a positive and productive step forward for MSA. If adopted by MU and the City of Columbia, the resolution would give amnesty for underage drinkers who call 911 to help friends with whom they may have been drinking. Currently, if an intoxicated minor were to make this call, they could face legal ramifications for underage drinking as well as consequences based on University policy.
This resolution is undoubtedly a good thing, and MSA has said it plans to present the resolution to the MU administrators as well as the City of Columbia. We would like to commend MSA for pledging to represent the interests of MU students at the city level. This is a prime example of the kind of advocacy discussed in today’s other editorial: MU students are a legitimate part of this community and, as constituents, deserve legitimate representation in shaping its policies.
For those who are curious about the effects of the Good Samaritan policy, a 2006 study at Cornell University showed that, when adapting the policy, the number of emergency calls increased two-fold while the level of underage drinking did not significantly change.
Furthermore, we are fans of MSA’s recent proposal to expand STRIPES to the tune of $6,000. STRIPES is an extremely beneficial, safe and well-executed program that MU should be proud to have.
The passing of this resolution shows that MSA has the power to be a legitimate voice for the students, and, as we have said before, we would encourage the organization at large to do more to express the student’s interests at the city level. The new executive Branch of MSA is driven, motivated and already working hard, and the rest of MSA’s members should join in and aim for an effective semester.
