Oracle Online

As well as being a student at Hamline, I am also a Resident Assistant. Consequently, I have been witness to numerous accounts of what seems like the entire fire department responding to burnt popcorn or EMTs showing up because of irresponsible alcohol consumption. No matter how insignificant the incident may seem, these people must respond for the downright possibility of a serious emergency. Contrary to popular belief, universities and colleges do not pay for these services. Are we going to refuse to pay $25 when it goes toward saving our peers’ lives?

Although it seems ridiculous for every student in St. Paul to be liable, it is perfectly acceptable to hold the on-campus population responsible. Of course, though the probability of Hamline burning to the ground is minimal, I would rather pay a pinch of my tuition toward ensuring that these dire resources are adequately funded and available. Moreover, what prevents the city from levying a fee on colleges and universities, who in turn will up tuition? It is inevitable.

Furthermore, there is an even more appalling aspect to this issue. The selective maturity that college students espouse is sickening. So let’s be serious here. We aren’t mad because the $25 is “raising our tuition,” but moreso because it is less money for beer and hard alcohol.╩We could easily pay off that fee by an extra four hours of work-study, but that would infringe on party time, now, wouldn’t it? ╩I am sure the homeless, poor, overtaxed, hard working people feel that the city of St. Paul is picking on the defenseless college students. I can almost hear them pleading to let us receive our carefree education in peace.

I know visions of the real world are certainly scary, but college does teach lessons outside the classroom. Thus, the minute we receive our diploma should not be the same moment we are bombarded with civic responsibility. If you missed the memo, we are adults now. Whining only entitles people to continue treating us like kids.

Finally, claiming discrimination in this situation is preposterous. Even if opposition to this trivial fee is symbolic, it only reinforces stereotypes of the “poor, pampered college student.” In twenty years, we’ll be the ones complaining about those damn college kids who keep urinating on our lawns at three in the morning. So, seriously, grow up. We have been free riders for long enough. We should not expect the citizens of St. Paul to pay the brunt of services we routinely use.

Justin Dahlheimer ‘06