Junior Class President Apologizes For Allegedly Racist Remark
About 25 members of the Black Students Organization (BSO) stormed a meeting of the Columbia College Student Council last week to demand an apology for an allegedly racist remark made a month ago by the junior class president.
Junior Class President Duane Bartsch's remark followed his presentation of plans for a community-wide carnival. Someone asked Bartsch what the role of the fraternities would be, and he responded "to bring booths," the Columbia Spectator reported.
Bartsch told The Spectator, "Someone misunderstood that and said `booze?' and I said `Yeah, right'--it was very sarcastic--`sure, booze, crack and dirty needles."'
The remark was construed as rascist because of implications that the Black and minority children who live in Harlem, where Columbia is located, would enjoy seeing such things as booze and crack at the carnival, according to Melissa Michelson, a reporter for The Spectator.
After the BSO members entered the meeting, the council called for adjournment, but the group blockaded the door.
Eventually, the chairman called for a forum to hear the complaints. A BSO member denounced Bartsch's comment as "racist and outrageous." Bartsch apologized to the BSO and agreed to write letters of apology that the group requested. GEORGETOWN
Students Say They Are Drinking As Much As Ever
Students at Georgetown University were warned this week about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse during the school's annual Alcohol Awareness Week, but they said that despite the program and a recent rise in the drinking age, they are drinking as much as ever.
The awareness week brought speakers and films to the Washington, D.C. campus, where in theory the change of the drinking age from 18 years to 21 years has prevented most freshmen--the only group of students not covered by a grandfather clause--from drinking.
In addition to the awareness week, the university has decided to punish students who publicly consume alcohol on campus with a $25 fine and five hours of community service.
But students said that the program and the change in the drinking age have had little effect on student drinking habits.
"If you didn't make the grandfather clause, then you probably know someone who did," said Kristin Allman, a Georgetown sophomore.
Freshman Ryan Knoll said the only effect the new drinking age has had on student life is that the university can no longer legally provide alcohol at school events.
"People used to stay on campus to drink," said Knoll. "Now, they go downtown. The bars there serve anyone."
"Because everyone used to hang out at the [campus] pub, freshmen are somewhat alienated," said freshman Jane Podurgiel.