Rarely do I ever take issue with an opinion column. Opinions cannot be mistaken, but they can be misguided. The article “Aggression towards students creates an unhappy student body at Alabama” by SoRelle Wyckoff was misguided. Ms. Wyckoff’s argument was about a “money hungry administration” that was out to nickel and dime the student body by the excessive ticketing and parking enforcement, the dispersing of a gathering on campus and the numerous drug busts. Ms. Wyckoff concluded that all of these actions by the University were examples of unwarranted aggression towards the students.

She states, “The $7 million profit off students’ improper parking was the first flag.” That’s more than $200 per enrolled student. Still, it is misguided to blame the University for this. The rules of parking on campus are not a guarded secret. They are readily accessible and students know when they are parking illegally. If they do not, it is up to the driver to find out the rules before driving on campus.

Fines are not working as a deterrent. The problem is of massive proportions if the school took in $7 million. There is an issue with the student population respecting the rules. If the University chose to refrain from enforcing the rules, pandemonium would ensue, especially in a student population of more than 30,000. Parking illegally takes places away from those who rightfully paid for the privilege to leave their cars in a designated lot, or blocks traffic and can cause safety issues. The enforcement of these rules allows the University to operate more smoothly.

The perceived aggression in the dispersal of the assembly is also misguided. While it is true that we have the constitutional right to assemble, there are reasons that the proper permission is required. Permits prevent the disruption of everyday activities. This is not to say that this particular gathering was disruptive, but allowing it without the proper permits sets a precedent that would allow future gatherings that could disrupt normal operations or planned activities. Furthermore, it is not your right to assemble on campus; it is a privilege that the University allows.

Although this is a public university, the administration has the right to prevent assemblies on campus. We are here to learn; this is the priority of the University. The administration did not prevent the assembly; they educated the organizer about the process needed to assemble. To my understanding, he was able to properly register and hold the event. Claiming that this is aggression towards the students is once again mistaken. It is the enforcing of rules that are neither secret nor inaccessible.

The third and final argument I found not just misguided, but offensive, not because I agree with drug laws, but at the insolence shown towards the law. I will preface this by saying that I agree marijuana prohibition is ill-conceived and needs to be repealed. That being said, it is still illegal. This fact is not up for debate, nor is it a secret.

We live in a society that empowers the people to create the laws that govern them. If enough people want to repeal the illegality of marijuana, the answer is simple. Let them know this issue is important and vote for those who will help you attain the repeal. If that is too much trouble, feel free to study abroad through a University program. You can find a university in a country that does not have marijuana prohibition.

But disregarding a law because you do not agree with it is unacceptable. This is an institution of higher learning, and it is up to the administration to promote an atmosphere conducive to said learning. This was not an aggression toward the students; it was an attempt to remove an illegal distraction.

All three of these instances were examples of students breaking the rules. The University of Alabama is a complex organization that runs rather smoothly for the most part. The actions of the administration in each of these cases worked to keep the order and discourage disruption.

In none of the cases were the actions of the University unwarranted towards the student body, nor were they excessive. Sometimes it is easy to forget the main reason we are here: to get an education. We can be distracted by the recreational and social events surrounding us, but the administration is working tirelessly to help us to succeed. Our success is their success. Their actions should not be considered as aggression, but rather of lessons and guidance.

Michael Reagan is a junior majoring in philosophy and creative writing.

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