Two strikes force students to consider transferring

Breeze perspectives

JMU’s three-strike policy makes it imperative that students withdraw from this institution and pursue their degree elsewhere after receiving two strikes. No ambitious student can afford to stay here after receiving two strikes.

Students are aware of the three-strike policy, and it is a common belief that few ever reach the third strike. Unfortunately, it is not reaching the third strike that is important, but it is the risk of reaching the third strike that is significant. A student with two strikes is gambling every time they are in the same vicinity as an alcoholic beverage. A strike can be given to a student if found in the same room as a substance — drinking is not necessary. Though strikes are more common in on-campus living situations, they still can be given to those students who live off campus — you never are absolutely safe.

The punishment for receiving a third strike is suspension for one semester. The university’s Web site does give the disclaimer that this is at the discretion of JMU President Linwood Rose, but this is irrelevant. The idea that a suspension may be enforced as a punishment is legitimate. This disclaimer should not give anyone the false impression that a third strike is a joke.

No student can give up a semester of his or her time or have a suspension in their college history. The risk for this horrific event is too great, too easy to obtain and has too severe a penalty. A suspension on a student’s college record can diminish his or her chances of being the most successful he or she can be.

When applying to graduate schools or transfer schools, a punishment of this magnitude will be presented. What institution wants to accept a student who has a semester suspension on his or her record? What kind of person does that indicate?

When confronted with the harsh reality of the three-strike rule, there must be a compromise that is best for the students and for JMU. A solution could be that strikes expire after a given period of time. This policy mirrors the idea of points on a driver’s license. These points do not last forever — they eventually are erased and a good driver goes back to a clean slate. Why not have the same for students? Why force a student to live with a mistake for the remainder of his or her college career? This policy is plausible and would give two-strike students another chance, saving them from ever having to think about leaving JMU.

Society is presented with ignorance daily, but students at JMU should not have to deal with the ignorance of this policy. The atmosphere at JMU is a safe, pleasant and joyous one. It is a heart-wrenching thought that some day a student may have to leave and pursue their education elsewhere for fear of the penalties from receiving a third strike. This harsh and unjust policy must be reformed.

Tim Rose is a sophomore business major.