Thomas Williams, president, Minnesota State Student Associatio
The Free Press
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The city of Mankato has in front of itself a valuable learning experience. Recently, Mayor John Brady was arrested on DUI charges, for open bottle and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle. The community is now faced with a decision; continue to label the students as the sole problem of alcohol related incidents or to accept that alcohol abuse is prevalent not only within a small percentage of university students but throughout the Mankato community.
The City of Mankato, both its leadership and general residents, have labeled students as a problem instead recognizing the benefits and services we students provide to this community. A study done in 2005 by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, “The Economic Impact of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities” projected Minnesota State University had an impact of about $307.4 million on the local economy. This estimate only factors in spending by students, faculty, staff and visitors and does not include the effect on the local labor force.
We volunteer and work in the schools, assisted living centers, local businesses, and many of the non-profit organizations around the area. We donate our time and effort outside of our studies to make this community a better place.
This issue of alcohol abuse within a college town is not unique to Mankato, but what can make it unique is how Mankato responds to Brady’s actions. Will we, as a community, continue to blame and ostracize the demographic that provides unlimited potential and growth for this city, or will we recognize that students are only a small piece of the puzzle to finding the solution to alcohol abuse within Mankato?
