The death of an Indiana University student on Ball State's campus last year shocked the student body. Jarrod Polston was visiting friends for a weekend of partying when it was cut short by his sudden death from a mixture of alcohol and drugs.
More than two dozen lives have been claimed in Indiana since 2004 as a result of underage drinking incidents, according to the Department of Health.
To reduce the amount of deaths on college campuses, various student government associations and the state of Indiana have teamed up and created a law that would grant students immunity to alcohol-related charges if they act in good faith to help someone suffering from alcohol poisoning.
Purdue University was the first to act upon this legislation. Purdue Student Government partnered with two other universities in the making of what is now called Senate Bill 274.
David Rosenthal, a student senator at Purdue, collaborated with IU and University of Southern Indiana in the writing of the bill. Rosenthal said PSG met with state legislators to help draft the legislation.
"The legislation deals with situations where, if somebody has had too much to drink, someone can call to get help and will not be punished by the university," Rosenthal said.
Before the legislation was written, some universities created their own policies, such as Ball State's Good Neighbor Exception.
The policy protects underage students from being punished by the university if they choose to call 911 when they are intoxicated, if the designated hearing officer decides to waive it.
Ball State's Good Neighbor Exception has been written in the student code for two years, but IU and Purdue just put their policies into effect in the fall.
Ball State has also made other efforts to promote safe partying such as Party Smart BSU, funded by the Delaware County Prevention Council.
Ball State Health Educator Julie Sturek said the main goal of the initiative is to keep students aware of the alternatives to partying.
Since the disappearance of IU student Lauren Spierer, police have been cracking down harder on underage drinking and partying.
"Even if we didn't have something like this, I'd hope that if students are worried about their friends - no matter the consequences - they'd call 911 or Ball State police, despite what might happen to them," said Michael Gillilan, director of Student Rights and Community Standards.
SB 274, which was written by state Sen. Jim Merritt of Indianapolis and Sen. Randy Head of Logansport, passed on Jan. 25.
"Sen. Head and I are pleased to see the committee's overwhelming support for this legislation, and I look forward to further discussion on the Senate floor," Merritt said.
Merritt emphasized the law does not interfere with any other criminal offenses such as providing to a minor, operating while intoxicated or possession of a controlled substance.
"We hope to prevent reoccurring instances by including specific steps to help educate and correct misconceptions about the dangers of alcohol abuse," Merritt said.
The legislation goes into effect July 1 and will affect campuses statewide.
Read More
Changes to Ball State's "Freedom of Expression" statement approved
By Linnea Sundquist and Katherine Hill / 10 minutes agoThe university’s Board of Trustees held a special meeting April 17 to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order 1417 and terminate any university diversity, equity and inclusion program that violates any applicable law.
Man2Men hosts talent show: Student 2 Star
By Kahmara Munn / 5 hours agoCampus organization Man2Men hosted a talent show, allowing students to reconnect with their creative sides.
Ball Student Government Association (SGA) holds inauguration for new executive board
By Shelby Anderson / 21 hours agoSGA welcomed its new executive board for the next school year during its last meeting of the 2024-25 school year.
