Editorial: New Ordinance term allows for too much interpretation

The Beastie Boys once loudly proclaimed "You gotta fight/ for your right/ to party" and it looks like Sonoma State students will have to do just that this September. With the Rohnert Park city council's plans to create stricter party ordinance laws, it's hard to imagine that this is not an attack on SSU students.  

As it stands, college students are quickly portrayed as destructive, lewd, alcoholic party-goers by the majority of society. Who else in this small town would host parties that could be considered "wild"? Granted, there are some who fit this stereotype to a tee, but to make it near impossible for a student to hold a party at all is just going too far.

Under the proposed changes the term "party" would be replaced with "loud and unruly gathering."  Here's the problem with this change: Anything can be considered "loud and unruly." It would be entirely at the police's discretion to determine if the party was out of hand or not.  And let's face it; the police and a group of community members probably aren't SSU's biggest fans, and it would be easy for them to assume any of our gatherings weren't appropriate.

"Loud and unruly gathering" puts too much opinion into interpretation of the law.  As a council member pointed out, just sitting by the pool, listening to music could be considered loud and unruly to any neighbor who may not like them.  A group of students playing Pictionary, or a game that lends to a little shouting could be considered unruly and the tenants soon slapped with a $100 fine and probationary period that most likely lasts longer than their lease.

Sonoma State is not Chico or San Diego State. Our social and Greek life in no way compares to that of other campuses. In comparison, we're quite tame.  Blanket changes to the ordinances do not need to be changed. Most of the student population respects their neighbors, or at the very least tries to keep it down to avoid the dreaded "60-day."

But rather than punish all students who might occasionally step out of line and make a mistake (as we all sometimes do), the council should focus their time and efforts on repeat offenders instead. Those with no respect for the community around them and continuously disrupt the neighbors should face stricter punishment.

College is a time for growth and development, and a little bit of fun to offset the stress of classes, research and work. It may get a little out of hand, but don't give the police the option of discrediting any college gathering.

The council's actions beg the question: Do the council members even want the campus here? Do they really want to drive the students away because they have made it virtually impossible to have some fun in college?

If these changes pass, Rohnert Park might just lose some of its greatest assets.

Do you have an opinion on the city council's proposal? Send a letter to the editor to star@sonoma.edu and let your voice be heard!