SGA SafeRides take to the road

Author: Annie Onishi

The Student Government Association (SGA) convened Sunday in the Robert A. Jones '59 Conference Room to vote on the proposed SafeRides program, a program providing student-run transportation from off-campus parties. The SGA also received a report from Middlebury College President Ronald D. Liebowitz and discussed the Student Readership Program.

The SGA unanimously approved the Off-Campus Shuttle Bill, which was sponsored by Senator Andrew Carnabuci '06. The bill is a proposed solution to the problem caused by the restrictive interpretation of Vermont State liquor laws, which have caused an increase in off-campus parties and the potential for drunk driving.

Carnabuci provided the meeting's attendees with an overview of the SafeRides proposal. The program would entail the employment of four students - three drivers and one dispatcher - who would be stationed at the SGA office in McCullough Student Center. Employees would work from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. and would be in contact via cell phone. Students at off-campus parties could call the dispatcher, provide their whereabouts and receive a ride home from locations within a pre-ordained three mile radius.

Carnabuci and Middlebury College Business Manager Tom Corbin answered questions regarding logistics and liability. Carnabuci explained the budget, which would be $4,750 per semester to cover costs including gas, uniforms and the $15 per hour salary paid to employees. The money to fund this program will come from the SGA discretionary fund as well as from the donations of College Trustees, because the College has refused to provide any funding. Corbin explained that the College cannot fund SafeRides because it would be considered in violation of Vermont State law for enabling illegal activities. If funding is obtained, SafeRides could begin as soon as March.

Of the program, Carnabuci said, "I really do feel strongly that we have an obligation to do something. The last thing that anyone wants to see is that someone gets hurt. I think this is a good step in that direction." He continued, "This year the social scene has moved so far off campus, and it's a problem that is not going to go away. I don't want to go to any funerals before I graduate."

The meeting then turned over to the direction of Leibowitz, who updated the Senate on the recent meeting with the Board of Trustees. Liebowitz led a discussion about the Starr Library renovation project, the Strategic Planning Process, senior and off-campus housing and most notably, the social situation at the College.

After a lengthy report from Leibowitz about the aforementioned topics, SGA President Eli Berman '07.5 asked Liebowitz, "What can we do?" about the central role that alcohol plays in the College social scene. Liebowitz responded, "We can't look to the adults to solve these issues. There's very little we can do, but we can't turn our backs. Students can be smart. Students are the ones who hold the cards here. We'd like to help you, but it's not an issue I think the administration can solve."

The meeting concluded with a discussion about the temporary suspension of the Student Readership Program because students have neglected to pick the newspapers up and the Dining Hall staff does not have the time to do it.

Dean of Student Affairs Ann Hanson likened the cancellation of the program to the fact that the College has to spend thousands of dollars to replace lost dishes and cutlery, or to students looking out for each other at parties. She said, "How do you get the people to look at the greater good of the institution? People are not pitching in and doing something to help someone else. As a community, we're not good at that."