Pioneer LogLewis & Clark College’s Student-Run Newspaper

Off-campus policy enforcement raises ethical dillemas

April 23, 2010

by Evan Tenenbaum

Watch out over summer break, kids, because no matter where you are, whether it be in Portland, San Francisco, London, Bangkok, or anywhere else for that matter, you can still get written up. That’s right: All it takes is one overly eager RA anywhere in the world to catch you breaking school policy, and you’re trouble with a capital T. 

Your actions, regardless of where you choose to take them, are still covered by the Lewis & Clark College Code of Conduct. By signing that little piece of paper freshman year (the one you can’t remember signing because you were so stoked about actually going to college), you agreed to be held accountable to the LC Code of Conduct no matter where you are in the world. If that doesn’t get you glancing over your shoulder as you drunkenly relieve yourself in the middle of Pioneer Square, perhaps you’d like an example a little closer to home. Has anyone noticed that a Campus Safety officer works at Chevron? Obviously, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with someone working two jobs, but the controversy lies in which “hat” this campus safety officer is wearing while he works at Chevron. 

When he confiscates a fake ID, does he turn it in to the Oregon Liquor Control Comission (as he is required by law), or does he turn it over to the College (like he may be tempted to do as a Campo officer), or does he do both? The possibility of a man exercising his authority on two fronts is not only disturbing, but presents a number of ethical dilemmas.  

First of all, where exactly is the line? If you buy a ‘blunt wrap’ from Chevron, should you be worried that LC officials have been notified that you just might smoke a blunt? Second, when working a job that sells alcohol, it makes sense to report fake IDs to the OLCC, as it’s your job. It makes much less sense to report it to the College, as that’s just not the “hat” the Chevron employee is wearing at the time. But what would be really messed up is reporting the incident to both the state and the College. Not only would a student get severely punished by LC, but in state court the student could also get fined and/or lose his or her license for a year. 

It’s essentially the same as a Campus Safety officer also working as a police officer, and issuing school write-ups and city tickets at the same time (who knows, might save the college some money come next April 20).

Of course, we all should take responsibility for our actions, drunken or otherwise, on campus and off. But LC’s policy and practices regarding off-campus citations are disturbing and frustrating. Not only do they demonstrate a lack of trust in students, but they also seem rather pointless. If you can otherwise get away with peeing in Pio Square, I don’t think LC has any business judging your actions. If you’re already facing a huge legal fine because you got caught with your fake ID, it’s not as if extra punishment from your college will really add to the learning experience of the situation. 

We should be allowed to learn from our own mistakes in life, without having to worry about putting our education at risk. So, Lewis & Clark College, it is with the utmost respect that I say to you: My off-campus life is none of your goddamn business.