Two Flint Village community assistants, who were removed from their positions following their attendance of an on-campus party, were reinstated with a reduced punishment of a one-year probation period and 50 hours of community service. The decision is fair and will serve as a learning experience for both the CAs and the school.
The case surrounding the dismissals revolves around the idea of a general responsibility and the blurred line between students and authority. Since the two CAs, Marc Stellrecht and Jordan Berry, both were of legal drinking age and had just arrived at the apartment, with one claiming to act as a designated driver, it is difficult to say that they were being negligent. However, the CAs must be aware of all the rules, including the ones relating to overcapacity situations.
The CAs need to act as role models at all times, and are usually able to remove themselves from compromising situations. Since both CAs had just arrived at the party, their actions that night cannot be seen as representative.
Knee-jerk responses are often over the top, but URH&A correctly examined the case. They have every right to hold their workers up to high standards. Students who police and monitor other students are integral to the working of university residence complexes.
In this situation, the two CAs showed exemplary leadership abilities and impeccable track records. The two students rightfully deserve to stay as CAs, as it benefits every side.
The sentences of community service and probation might be seen as harsh, but the university is using the two as examples for their entire staff. CAs and residential advisors can usually monitor themselves, but now the rules and guidelines are set in stone.
Community assistants now have clear guidelines as to how they must act outside of their own complex. It is a shame that such an event was necessary to enforce those points, but it is good to see that a compromise could be reached. Stellrecht and Berry are being made an example, but not too harshly, and will hopefully be remembered in the future by CAs in similar situations.
Hopefully, awareness of this event is enough of a deterrent that the punishment is secondary. If all students, not just those in positions of authority, take responsibility to make sure unsafe situations are avoided, it makes everyone's job easier. The university apartments and the positions of community assistants are relatively new, so the laws and punishments will still need some fine-tuning before things will run smoothly.
It is always good to see the school and the students coming together and reaching a compromise. The CAs deserved their jobs back and will still be held responsible for their actions. They will continue being role models and the punishments will affect how they act as normal college students, but a new balance will be found. The URH&A acted wisely and the new solution is ultimately fair.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
