Zero Tolerance Policy in North Andover

In the article below Erin Cox went to pick up her friend who was too drunk to drive, only to have a warm welcome by the police telling her that she is in current violation of her high school’s (North Andover) zero-tolerance policy. As a result she was suspended for playing 5 volleyball games and her title as the captain of the volleyball team got revoked. Not only is the logic behind her school-board’s decision morally wrong, but it is also legally wrong, but I’ll get to that in a second.

Erin Cox

But why would the school be in control of her outside of her academic career? Well the student handbook says “That student athletes must refrain from alcohol even when not at school…” It even mentions that it is not intended to catch students from “guilt by association…” so the school wasn’t even following their own rules, fantastic! Even if it was their rules, there is something morally wrong with this situation; if my friend was in need of help, so much in need that he/she needed me, I wouldn’t respond with, “Hey, umm sorry I can’t because of my school’s zero tolerance policy!” What North Andover is doing is preventing their students from helping others. That definitely follows the honor code, and is completely rational as well!

It seems that some people do not know what zero tolerance means, or they just follow it too well.

Ok look, in the end rules are rules right? But this girl did not violate her school’s rules. During my research I ended up finding the popular phrase “zero tolerance = zero responsibility, or zero accountability, or zero intelligence…” and I couldn’t agree more. This whole fiasco from the school board, from the lawyers they sent to the decisions they are making are putting a bad reputation on them, and quite frankly, they just look senseless. We can do more than just hope that Erin’s case is brought to a close, and she can regain her position as captain on her varsity volleyball team as if nothing happened. Just spread the word. For more information on the article, visit:

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/10/13/north-andover-high-punishes-teen-for-giving-drunken-pal-ride-home-from-party/

A special thanks to Bree Sison for letting me post her article!