Going into my freshman year, I laughed when my mother made me enter the number for St. Thomas Public Safety into my phone. I didn’t think I’d ever want to dial that number or ever need to call them.
About a month ago, however, I found myself grateful to have Public Safety’s number among my contacts.
After spending an hour searching for an intoxicated friend during the middle of a thunderstorm, I became worried for her safety. To prevent my friend from driving home drunk or being taken advantage of, I knew my best choice was to call Public Safety.
Of course, it was a difficult decision. Calling Public Safety meant putting myself and others at risk for disciplinary consequences. Calling her in also put our friendship in jeopardy.
But I knew risking one’s own well-being for the sake of a neighbor’s safety is the Christian thing to do.
According to St. Thomas’ alcohol and illegal drugs guidelines in the student policy handbook, students have the following responsiblities:
“Individuals must be responsible for their behavior. This responsibility is not dismissed when one’s judgment is impaired by the presence of alcohol and/or drugs in the body. There is another responsibility that holds as much importance to members of the St. Thomas community – a responsibility for one another. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers in every sense of the word.”
Now I am not one to condone being a tattletale or a snitch. But as students of St. Thomas, it is necessary to uphold the mission of this institution: to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good.
I understand that many students are afraid to talk to Public Safety, but isn’t facing your fears part of being an adult? If students are to be morally responsible adults, they need to stop being selfish.
Nobody received any disciplinary consequences as a result of my calling Public Safety. My friend, however, no longer speaks to me. Despite that fact, I do not regret my decision.
If I had left my friend out in the rain that night for the sake of not getting in trouble, I would’ve felt like a coward. I would take a slap on the wrist any day if it means ensuring my friend’s safety.
If you ever feel helpless and worried for someone’s well-being, call for help. Whether you are sober or not, you will be happier that you did the morally responsible deed.
Rachel Britton can be reached at brit7192@stthomas.edu.
It sounds as if you are making a proxy case for lowering the drinking age to 18.
@Coming from a country where the legal drinking age is 18, we do have less alcohol and drug related crime than in the USA. I have been to a number of countries, it is only in the United States where teens are treated and protected as though they have no brains of their own.
Back to the topic of the article, we should first take care of ourselves before thinking of others. If one cannot cater to their own wellbeing, whats makes it possible for them to care for others.