Partying habits need to be re-examined after deaths
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In the past month, the MSU community has had to deal with the tragic deaths of two students. On Nov. 5, Alpha Epsilon Pi member and business sophomore Ryan Rosman was killed after being dragged by a bus in Detroit, and Nov. 21, Alpha Gamma Rho and environmental soil science and chemistry senior Brian McMillen died of unknown causes.
Every death is tragic, but the proximity of these two deaths simply can’t be ignored, and they should remind all MSU students of the necessity of partying responsibly.
Although alcohol might have been a factor in both deaths, neither of the tragedies have been classified as purely alcohol related. But no one can deny that alcohol is a huge part of the party atmosphere on campus. Indeed, alcohol consumption often is taken to excess at MSU and has been the cause of many tragic deaths. Just last week, former interdisciplinary studies in social sciences junior Melissa Rumrill pleaded no contest to drunken driving in an August 2008 accident that resulted in the death of then-chemistry junior Joe Barton.
If anything good can come from these tragedies and their consequences, they should remind us of the fragility of life and the necessity to take care of ourselves and each other. The issue at hand is more than just “drinking responsibly” or “knowing your limits.” It’s about making conscious choices to be responsible and taking measures to ensure the safety of one’s self and one’s friends.
As a result of the two recent deaths, the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils have decided to put the greek community on social probation. We believe this decision to be a wise one. Not only will it give the sororities and fraternities a chance to develop their alcohol abuse prevention programs, it will allow all of the greek houses to take a step back, re-evaluate and refocus their mission, perhaps putting a greater emphasis on their charitable activities and other forms of philanthropy.
But taking a step back and refocusing can’t be limited to just the greek community. The recent deaths and their consequences should mobilize all of us to change the culture of partying at MSU. The fact that abusing alcohol and other substances can result in real and tragic consequences no longer can be ignored or laughed off by the student body. And although every Spartan should be concerned, this could be a real opportunity for the greek community to take the lead on an initiative to curb the negative consequences associated with irresponsible partying.
We all need to let loose and have fun every once in a while, but that doesn’t mean we can’t party in sensible and mature ways. Students need to stand up and send the message to their peers that drinking to get drunk is not acceptable — that engaging in behavior that puts themselves and others at risk can’t be tolerated.
This only will happen when individual students take responsibility, and the climate of excessive drinking on campus only will change one student at a time. We as students certainly can have fun, but we have to put more emphasis on being responsible and looking out for each other.
After all, a change in our behavior could end up saving lives.
Commentary
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Anon
(11/30/09 7:38pm)Report
“Alpha Gamma Rho and environmental soil science and chemistry senior Brian McMillen died of unknown causes”
Unknown causes do not equal partying. Maybe you should have waited until a cause was determined before jumping the gun with this letter.
Whatever
(12/01/09 10:39am)Report
I would estimate that 50% of the kids here have drinking and responsibility problems, and it’s all theirs and their parents fault. We haven’t seen anything from this upcoming “entitled” generation yet – Just wait. They are just beginning to pour into the real world, they have no idea what reality is like yet. They still think that obama represents hope. They still think that they are entitled to things that they can’t afford. What a worthless bunch, I can’t wait to see reality hit them smack in the middle of the face, while I work my ass off and make enough money to pay my living expenses, and get good grades on top of that. I LOVE rubbing that in these little tards faces. Haha
America
(12/01/09 12:03pm)Report
You know, this “entitlement” about which I hear much really isn’t true for the majority of young people I know. I only see it in kids from well-off families.
I do, however, see it a lot in the corporate world…from the Baby Boomers.
Kevin
(12/01/09 12:20pm)Report
One death you are referencing is undetermined to have anything to do with drinking. The second, well I know people that were involved in Mr. Rosman’s situation, and though drinking was involved, it was the kind of stuff we have all done before, but got away with without consequence.
The reality is drinking makes people do stupid things, regardless of age. Just a couple days ago a brief in the news mentioned some older man getting hurt while he was drunk (40something i think). In any case 2or3/40,000 students dieing is really nothing to be alarmed about… That is not to say that these people are worthless, but statistically there is no problem with our campus.
Anon
(12/02/09 9:59am)Report
Kevin: Maybe you can speak for your (greek) self, but I don’t go about running from police and hiding under buses while drinking.
Again, we have the wonderful greek white knights to defend the entire system by saying everyone does “silly, minor lapses in judgements” like DIEING. No biggie.
Sigh
(12/02/09 10:57am)Report
The Greek system is not the problem, nor is it to blame for people being stupid from running from the authorities.
The 2nd death had absolutely nothing to do with the Greek community, outside of the person being a member of a house.
Lexi
(12/02/09 11:49am)Report
Whatever: You can’t blame the parents for the actions of their grown children in most cases. When the kids leave home and strive for independence they will make mistakes on their own. We just hope they aren’t the bad kind. Education is the key here.
Impressed by the Greeks
(12/03/09 9:42am)Report
It’s comical how we attack and blame on the Greeks for everything. Recently I have been absolutely astonished and enlightened by their structured and governed system. Hats off to their highest governing systems (Panhellenic Council and IFC) for taking these wise pre-cautionary steps. Greeks may be blamed for all the partying but I’ve recently found out— They party and abuse alcohol no more than any other community on our campus.