A program titled “What to do When Sh*t Happens” aims to make students more aware of their rights and options available to them in regard to alcohol.
The event is being organized through the Montgomery Leadership Program by junior political science major Lauren Kellerhouse and senior finance major Lenora Christopher. It will be held in McCool Hall’s Taylor Auditorium Wednesday.
Kellerhouse said the goal of the program is to better inform students of the options they have in problematic situations that may arise when alcohol is involved.
“It came from personal experience where, at many points in the semester, we realized that it would be beneficial to know what our legal options are,” Kellerhouse said. “There’s no easy way to know because no one tells you what your options are. We just wanted to be informed, and we want to try to inform as many other people as we can.”
Three guests are scheduled to speak at the program: attorney David Mays, assistant dean of students Tabor Mullen and Sergeant Shane Kelly from the Starkville Police Department.
Kellerhouse and Christopher said Mullen will speak to students about what has to be done to follow up on incidents with the dean of students and addressing what effect incidents might have on a student’s education.
David Mays will talk to students to let them know the consequences of their actions.
“My main point,” Mays said, “is to inform students of the law and the repercussions of their actions and to hopefully allow them to make informed decisions.”
Mays will address a range of issues, including basic misdemeanors, roadblocks, Minors in Possession, Fake IDs, unreasonable search and seizure and more.
“It’s my job to defend people and to inform people on the front side,” Mays said, “because a lot of the time I don’t think students really realize the type of fire they can be playing with.”
He also said part of the purpose of the talk is to help students decide what they might do in cases where they are charged with a crime.
Kellerhouse and Christian recounted that, in their personal experiences, they have known sober students who have been designated drivers for others and still gotten in trouble.
They said they hope to help prevent more such instances and to equip whatever students they can with knowledge that can help in later situations.
They emphasized that the purpose of the event was not to get students off the hook once they are in trouble.
“This isn’t about getting students out of trouble,” Kellerhouse said. “It’s about how to act once you’re in a situation to help minimize the consequences. College students often find themselves in these situations and no one tells you how to respond once you get in these situations.”
Christopher said the knowledge they plan to present at the program is good for anyone, not just students who are over the age of 21.
The program is sponsored by the Montgomery Leadership Program.
Free gifts will be provided by Night & Day Vending, makers of the IntoxBox, and Bulldog Cab Company.