On Tuesday, February 26, the first of three meetings concerning the consolidation between Fordham University and Marymount College Tarrytown took place on Marymount campus. Students representing organizations, classes and their own selves attended the meeting hosted by Dean of Student Affairs, Joseph Watson of Marymount College, and the Vice President of Student Affairs at Fordham, Jeff Gray.

Although the meeting was not publicized as an open forum where the policies or topics would be discussed or possibly negotiated, the students attended to the consolidation to be updated on the changing policies.

With their PowerPoint presentation ready, Deans Watson and Gray prepared the students with the purpose of the meeting: to clarify the chosen policies of discussion. Students were instructed not to ask questions that did not pertain to the chosen topics. All questions would be answered in a fashionable manner after the presentation.

New to the campus and the students, Dean Gray briefly introduced himself. With more than ten years of experience of his current position and four daughters, Dean Gray explained his qualifications and understanding of the consolidation. (HAHA,  IM SO SURE!)

Dean Watson proceeded with the presentation by addressing the policies of visitation, alcohol and the FERPA act.

Much to the worries of the students, the visitation policy is changing from the current status for all students to the policy that Fordham enforces at their campuses. Currently, Marymount freshman cannot have overnight guests as a first semester student, but is allowed three weekends as a second semester freshman. All upperclassman can have a maximum of two guests signed in for no more than 72 hours. After that, the guests must leave for a minimum of 24 hours. The guests for all students are not permitted to female.

The new policy does not allow any of the students to have male overnight guests in accordance with the Jesuit belief of celibacy and separation of sexes in the same room. All guests must be signed out from 3:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Concerning alcohol, the campus will remain "wet," and will continue to abide by the federal laws of legal age drinking. Alcohol at campus events has been unofficially banned and will continue at that status. The change begins with alcohol at social events labeled as "parties." Unlike before, a designated hall will host two parties per weekend night for a total of four parties per weekend. (damn, these jesuits sure can get wild)

A list of guests attending the party must be gathered as well as information concerning the ages and availability of alcohol. The parties must be arranged in advance and approved by the Residence Director and the Dean of Student Affairs. When approved, the list will be posted on the door of party host for the Residence Advisors. knowledge. If alcohol is present, all guests must be over 21. If roommate is under 21, she must sign a form stating that she will not be present during the party. At one a.m., the party ends.

The two colleges differ in their policy of student confidentiality and releasing of information to third parties. While Fordham has no institutional deviation, Marymount students must sign a waiver indicating permission to release information, including family members. The FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) states that a student.s information must not be solicited to a third party, but Fordham does not consider parents as a "third party." Marymount.s policy will be formatted to that of Fordham.s by enforcing no institutional deviation when it comes to the student.s welfare. This policy does not concern students that are of independent status but concerns students classified as dependent.

Dean Gray clarified that if under disciplinary action or academic trouble, the student will have the opportunity to give permission to contact parents. If the student declines, the school will have the right to continue with parental contact. To avoid this, a student must be declared "independent" and not be claimed "dependent" on their parents tax form.

For more clarification of the new policies, students asked questions, provided experiences and commented on the topics. Dean Gray provided as much information as possible with the given context, while Dean Watson maintained order in the room full of students and some administration.

The meeting lasted for approximately an hour and a half, and was concluded because of scheduled mass and class. Because a large amount did were not able to speak their concerns, Dean Gray stayed for additional time to address further questions.

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PLEASE GIRLS, SPEAK YOUR MIND, DONT LET THEM TRAMPLE ALL OVER YOU. ITS NOT WORTH IT. IF YOU ARE OK WITH WHAT THEY ARE DOING THEM TAKE IT IF YOUR NOT THEN FIGHT IT!

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