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This petition, brought by individuals with immediate interests in the policy decisions of Baker University, challenges the actions of the Substance Abuse Council regarding the adoption of a random drug testing policy. Endorsed by the Athletic Department of Baker University, this testing policy designates that 10 randomly chosen athletes will be selected once a month to undergo an oral drug test. Beyond those random 10 students, the council also reserves the right to test any student-athlete that they suspect of drug use at any time, both in and out of competitive season. The drug test focuses on illegal street drugs while not seeking to detect the presence of performance enhancing drugs. Petitioners seek to have this policy nullified by the Administration of Baker University through the Athletic Department and the Substance Abuse Council.
By treating all athletes as drug users the policy requires that students prove their innocence through an invasive technique that can detect the behavior of students during the 36 hours prior to the administration of the test. Rather than relying on the integrity of students and respecting the privacy of students, the administration of Baker University has created an atmosphere in which athletes are guilty until proven innocent. Baker University has the right to disregard student privacy and integrity, however by choosing to disregard those concepts the administration risks damaging the integrity of Baker University itself.
Additionally, the drug testing policy demonstrates little respect for the decision making capabilities of students. Baker students are educated in an educational program that displays a strong interest in creating students capable of competently engaging in critical decision making processes. By seeking to limit the decision making processes of students, this policy demonstrates little faith in the critical decision making skills of Baker University students and the curriculum responsible for those skills.
Moreover, the drug testing policy creates a hierarchy of acceptable and less-acceptable drug use, granting a silent endorsement of certain drugs while aggressively pursuing others. By testing for street drugs the policy does demonstrate that use of these drugs is not acceptable. By not testing for performance enhancing drugs the policy creates different degrees of acceptability between different drugs with performance enhancing drugs seemingly given a higher certain degree of acceptability.
Finally, the policy results in unfair stipulations and regulations regarding one group of students at Baker. These regulations create a fundamental division between the expectations and norms of athletic and non-athletic students. These tests reinforce and further strengthen divisions on Baker’s campus that separate students into different factions.
If the Baker University administration wishes to demonstrate that it does respect the integrity and rights of students attending Baker University, this policy must be reversed. If the Baker University administration wishes to not undermine academically and socially developed core aspects of Baker University students, this policy must be reversed. If the administration of Baker University wishes to reverse the silent endorsement of performance enhancing drugs, this policy must be reversed. If the administration wishes to not further divide the student body of Baker University into separate factions, each with its own rules and punishments, this policy must be reversed.
For all of the reasons listed above, we the petitioners, call upon the administration of Baker University, the Athletic Department, and the Substance Abuse Council to reverse the recently adopted drug testing policy. |
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The petition is sponsored by a group of current and past Baker University students concerned with the adoption the current drug testing policy at Baker University. |
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