In a statement released April 2, Ken Zick, vice-president for student life and instructional resources, called for a number of changes to be made to the university's off-campus guest policy. The statement came on the heels of a number of concerns brought forth by members of the campus community concerning security policies at Gym Jams - parties traditionally hosted and attended by black student groups, and which tend to attract a large number of off-campus guests.

The memorandum, addressed to Harold Holmes, the dean of student services, made recommendations based on the results of an investigation into the issue by an ad-hoc Procedures Committee, commissioned by Zick and headed by Holmes, as well as input from Student Government and minority student leaders. Zick's statement called for "maintenance and submission of a guest log and the attendant monitoring by compliance advisors in accord with customary practices." Also, "University Police will develop a staffing rotation that reflects the complement of officers necessary to patrol campus on weekends, depending upon the size and number of events." Such recommendations relax security considerably; Gym Jams and similar functions will no longer be required to use metal detectors at the door, nor be under the watch of a full-time security guard, as the current regulations stipulate.

Zick explained that current off-campus guest policies, implemented about seven years ago, are outdated. "The experience in the last several years is that we haven't had any incidents at these events," he said. "It just doesn't reflect reality now."

Holmes will be left with the responsibility of implementing the changes. The memorandum stated that they should be "effective as soon as you (Holmes) deem practicable."

"The policy is essentially self-management, with oversight from compliance advisors," Zick said. "We depend upon the students to adhere to their own risk management policies."

Student Government's Race Relations Committee played a large role in pushing for change. "Student Government had plans to present a bill, but the meeting with Mr. Zick proved that this would not be necessary. The bill would have come after Vice President Zick's statement and we saw this as redundant," junior Ryan Ramsey, SG speaker of the house, said. SG was instrumental in planning a forum earlier this semester where students were able to voice concerns on the subject.

"Instead, I think this shows that Student Government can accomplish some very large goals through the use of several different avenues," Ramsey said. "I am very satisfied with this proposal and I hope the affected students are as well. The Race Relations Committee is pleased with the outcome of its hard work and I am very proud of its accomplishments."

"It sounds like a step in the right direction," said senior Sabrina Parker, SG Race Relations Committee Co-Chair. "I can't wait to see the next Gym Jam that has this policy in effect. I'm excited about it."

"My hope is that we have balanced student needs appropriately and also achieved a sense of equality in this new arrangement," Zick said. "I have faith that student leaders are going to manage this well."

This was not the first study undertaken to examine the issue. "We've conducted two previous examinations to determine how those policies affect the social life of students, particularly minority student groups," Zick said. "We've consulted with minority groups in each of these investigations."