I am writing to correct several pieces of information from Joseph Arling’s Sept. 17 letter, “Money matters in Fresh Start debate.”

The program, which was implemented in all of Union Drive beginning this year, encourages (but does not require, as the letter states) residents to participate in community service and campus organizations. The alcohol and visitation policies Mr. Arling describes are in fact enforced. Students are aware of these policies when they sign contracts to live in Union Drive and Maple Hall and in doing so agree to abide by the policies. It should also be made clear that the penalty for violating a Fresh Start policy is removal from Fresh Start housing, but not from the residence hall system.

Mr. Arling’s theory that the establishment of the Fresh Start program was motivated by a desire to make money is incorrect. The Fresh Start program is designed to provide an environment that encourages and allows new freshmen to be successful. Research of the Fresh Start environment over three years has shown the hall had a significant impact on academic achievement, a sense of community among students, academic self-confidence among students and university retention. In short, the Fresh Start program was shown to help students get off to a good start in their college careers and remain enrolled at Iowa State.

ARC is not a trendy name for RA. The Academic Resource Coordinator (ARC) is an additional student staff member who is present in the hall to serve as a resource to students regarding academics. The department is providing this staff member as an extra service to residents. If all the department cared about was making money, why would it spend additional resources to provide extra staff for residents?

The Fresh Start program is not for everybody, which is why the department did not implement the program in all areas and particularly not in areas specifically designed for non-freshmen students. Furthermore, no student is required to live anywhere on campus.

Relaxing the Fresh Start policies for others would be unfair to the residents who chose to participate in the program and live in the substance-free environment it provides.

Randy Alexander

Director of Housing and Food Services