Langston University and many other campuses like; Oklahoma State University, and University Central Oklahoma are all a dry campus, meaning under no circumstances, students are not allowed to have alcohol and illegal substances on campus even if you are of legal age. Over this past summer, Stash House just opened, which is a dispensary that is only four minutes away from campus. Given that Langston is a dry campus, having a dispensary close by could possibly give many students access to these controlled substances and bring them on campus.
The Langston Policy about drugs on campus states that “Students attending Langston University, regardless of their age are considered to be responsible adults, capable of ever-increasing maturity in effectively managing their affairs. Although Langston University, as an institution, does not condone violations of the law for persons of any age, Langston University does not operate in loco parentis with regard to our students. Langston University does not view our responsibility towards students as one of solely or primarily controlling in their behavior, but rather as one of educating students to make and implement appropriate and effective decisions in their lives.” (Langston Website 2023) In other words, Langston wants to minimize reckless behavior of students by eliminating what students could possibly put themselves or other students and staff in danger. Langston also wants all students to be in the right learning environment, in order for graduates to make wise and useful decisions as they start their careers.
Many students were not aware of the nearby dispensary. David Farris Jr, a sophomore criminal justice major feels that “It makes students more tempted to do illegal substances and it also tests your discipline.” All students interviewed were aware of the school’s drug policy and were introduced to it at the beginning of the school year. Upon questioning Dr. Johnson, an assistant professor of English, whether you ever had a student show up for class who smelled or seemed to be under the influence of anything. She responded, “A basketball player that was in my class, and it was a rather large classroom, but I had to get everybody out because everyone was smelling him, and it was that bad”. Homecoming and similar events could tempt students to do substances. Brysen Bartley, a junior and hyper major said, “it is close, and you don’t have to drive to Guthrie”. Proximity may play a big part in the usage of illegal substances, because the easier access, the easier it is to do said drug. After being questioned “How do illegal substances like marijuana affect the brain of a college student?” to Dr. Brown, the director of Healthcare Administration, and has a doctorate in nursing. Her answer was, “It impacts the brain, enables you to think, make good decisions, your reaction time is lessened, learning is decreased, and you have a lack of emotional maturity”. Christain Mitchel, a junior, and engineering technology major believes that some students are more likely to do substances. “Students that are from out of state, or further away from home. Being away from home is a way to gain freedom”. Said Mitchel
Langston University campuses are strict on their dry campus policy. Unlike Oklahoma University, they are not entirely a dry campus, “alcohol can still be served in non-residential campus facilities.” (Spigel 2004). Campuses that do not have strict dry policies are often more likely to have an incident occur. OU enforced new polices around drinking alcohol, but Langston University will not condone drinking, or doing drugs, even if you are of legal age to so. This should be a reminder to all students to be aware of the student policies to follow because your safety could be a danger to you or anyone around you. You can find resources and more information about substance awareness, from Dr. Brown, located in the Allied Health building room 225. You can also find the “student conduct” and “Arrest and Serious offenses” at Langston.edu.
Krystal Butler
Staff Writer
Krystal Butler is a junior broadcast journalism major.
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The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
