The Bottom Line

Issue date: 9/13/06 Section: News

Dr. Jonathan Gibralter, FSU president [Click to enlarge]

Dear Students:

It was this past March when I first came to Frostburg State University to be interviewed as a candidate for the presidency. When I met with student groups, several issues emerged. One of those issues was related to the University's reputation as a party school. Students that I spoke with were quite upset with the University's reputation and with the few students who habitually abused alcohol and other drugs causing many behavioral problems. I vowed at that time if selected to be your president to study this issue closely and form an opinion based upon real data and information. In the past two weeks, as I read the daily police reports not only on campus but in the community as well. I am deeply disturbed by the number of alcohol violations. Remember, these are only the violations for those who are apprehended. It does not include the "party houses" that may not be sanctioned.

I am writing this letter to you for several reasons. First, I am going to put together a university-wide task force consisting of administration, faculty, students and members of the local community to discuss the issue further. I want to be able to collaboratively come up with solutions to what I consider to be an important issue. Secondly, I want the university community to be aware that, effective immediately, we have a zero tolerance policy. Students under the influence and abusing the university's alcohol and other drug policies, both on and off campus, will be dealt with through the University's judicial process with no leniency. You are here as students to study and learn and become more responsible citizens of our country.

While I recognize that many of you go away to college and will seek opportunities to relax and enjoy yourselves, this does not mean that your consumption of alcohol needs to be excessive nor does it mean that it is at the expense of Frostburg State University or the greater community. I am seeking members of our student body who would be willing to serve on this college-wide committee and ask you to please email me your willingness to serve or least your thoughts and ideas as to what we as a university can and should be doing to better remediate this serious problem.

I thank you for listing and I look forward to your and feedback to a common solution so that we can make this a better and safer community to all involved,

Sincerely,



Jonathan Gibralter

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