Butler University is implementing new sanctioning guidelines for conduct violations this year in the hope that students can be given multiple chances for redemption.

Under the new guidelines, students that commit conduct violations, mainly alcohol-related violations, will be at risk of probation by the university.

This means that those students would not be allowed to hold leadership positions on campus and would not be allowed to rush for Greek fraternities or sororities.

While these guidelines may be intimidating to some, the university is making a good choice by implementing them.

“We just want to encourage students to find other things to do other than drink,” said Irene Stevens, dean of student life “You don’t have to drink to have fun at Butler.”

With more than 150 student organizations offered at Butler, there are plenty of ways for students to be active without breaking the law.

So many extracurricular opportunities presented by the university and Indianapolis give students the chance to spend time being social by bettering the community and themselves.

The punishments for conduct violations that come with the new guidelines may also be a preferable option to other forms of punishment.

“There will always be consequences no matter who ends up giving the punishment,” said Ben Hunter, chief of staff and executive director of public safety, “Butler University Police Department could give you a fine or send you to jail.  Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department will definitely send you to jail. Student Affairs takes the social approach, which would give more of an incentive not to drink.”

Freshmen are taken aback by the new guidelines, which were introduced to them at Red Cup Culture during Welcome Week.

“I don’t like that they just started it and didn’t really warn us about it,” freshman Kelli Linsenmayer said, “I don’t think [the guidelines] will keep people from partying.”

Freshman Lindsay Byers understands why the university has the new guidelines but wishes that the administration had been more up front rather than having to explain them through Red Cup Culture.

“The guidelines make some people think twice,” Byers said, “but those set on going out will continue to go out.”

While the university may have not been as upfront about the new guidelines as they could have been, they still present a reason for students to think twice about going out to drink at night.

The guidelines offer a disciplinary route that will keep students out of trouble with the law and may teach they a thing or two about socializing responsibly and intelligently.