IUSA letter lacked research

Last week, IU Student Association representatives tried to stand up for students by addressing what they deemed an important issue concerning the relationship between IU students and the Bloomington Police Department. In writing a letter to the BPD, IUSA outlined and addressed the "problem" of officers excessively arresting intoxicated students "in and around bars," who choose to walk home instead of operating vehicles. The letter also stated there might be increased surveillance due to Princeton Review's poll, which the letter described as, "an online poll with little or no scientific value."\n While thrashing Princeton Review for its lack of quality statistical research, IUSA is equally guilty in that department. Someone who has no knowledge of the issue would read the letter and be left with about as much information as he or she knew beforehand. \n How many students were in fact arrested? \n Is public intoxication at IU that pressing of an issue? \nNo one who read (or wrote) the letter really knows because IUSA didn't thoroughly look into the matter. "Many students have also voiced concern over the amplified scrutiny by the Bloomington Police Department related to parties and the consumption of alcoholic beverages in Bloomington," the letter stated. "Many students" go to school here, and "many students" have been arrested who go to school here. \nBut what exactly does "many students" mean?\nBy simply going to the BPD office, filling out a half-sheet of paper and waiting patiently for two or three days, one would find the numbers from last year significantly declined in the month of August when the Princeton Review poll was announced. According to statistics from the BPD, from January to August of 2001, 350 people were charged with public intoxication. For the same months of 2002, there were only 253 charges. For the eight months on record so far for 2002, public intoxication charges have decreased every month with the exception of June. During April, which includes the Little 500 when police are out in greater force near campus, there were 18 fewer charges in 2002 than 2001, a 29 percent decrease. In addition, there were 599 illegal consumption charges made from January to August of 2001. During the same months in 2002, only 372 charges were made for illegal consumption. During March 2002 and the NCAA Final Four tournament, when drunk students were all over the streets, only 28 people were charged with illegal consumption, a 56 percent decrease from the previous March of 2001. \nClearly our student representatives need to be reminded of their rights and learn that Indiana's Access to Public Records Act is a beautiful thing.\n"… It is the public policy of the state that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees. Providing persons with the information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officials and employees, whose duty it is to provide the information," Indiana Code 5-14-3-1 states.\nNot only as a form of government but as normal, everyday citizens, IUSA representatives should be aware they have the right to public information and should do all they can to provide a strong, thorough stance on all matters by exercising such rights.\nWe're glad someone is sticking up for the students, but we hope in the future, IUSA does a little more homework.