In response to mounting safety concerns and much input from Macalester students, administration and faculty, Macalester has reevaluated its policy on the use of its 15-passenger vans.

Last spring, in response to safety concerns due to a report distributed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission (NHTSC) titled "The Rollover Propensity of Fifteen-Passenger Vans," Macalester decided to form a committee to reevaluate its van policy. What resulted was a policy that many considered too limited for the needs of student organizations.

Perhaps more upsetting was the fact that many student groups, MCSG especially, felt that there was a lack of conversation with the student body in the formation of this new policy. As a discussion of the van policy was to continue at the beginning of November, MCSG sent a letter out informing the administration of its commitment to student involvement in this important issue. "Currently," the letter states "student representation is taken to be the last leg of decision making at Macalester: policies are made and then too few student are asked, or told, about them. MCSG's aim is for student representation to mean a process to its own right, whereby the students are involved from the beginning of the decision-making process, to its end."

Also stated were specific concerns about the current van policy. It was felt that there needed to be more discussion on the mileage limits that had been put in place, since no clear reason was ever given to the student body on why such strict restrictions were in effect. It was also clearly stated that MCSG felt that students could have a positive effect on helping to form a policy that would take into account safety and responsibility. "Is it not much safer for students to drive in a regulated system that they helped create and are happy with, rather than to drive on their own because they feel abandoned by the college?" the letter asked.

The result of all this has been a reformation of Macalester's van policy which has been enthusiastically supported by most parties directly involved in the decision making process, including representatives of MCSG. The new policy directly effect this year's spring break, and puts into effect a maximum mileage for a trip based on direction of travel. All trips with a destination north, west and east of St. Paul have a maximum one-way mileage of 500 miles. All trips with destinations southeast of St. Paul have a maximum one-way mileage of 1,200 miles. All trips with destination southwest of St. Paul have a maximum one-way mileage of 900 miles.

It was stressed in committee meetings that these mile limitations were being put in place mainly to avoid, first, extremely long trips and also to avoid areas of the country prone to extremely inclement weather conditions. Also built into this policy is an additional 20 percent of the total maximum round trip's miles for use to drive around once a destination had been reached.

As this new policy was unveiled, it was clear that all groups involved were happy. "Thank you for considering us. This is a big step for all of us and it clearly shows the administration's support," MCSG President Haris Aqeel '04 said. Although it was clear there could still be a few disappointed organizations, the Outing Club was one group specifically mentioned to be greatly affected with this new policy.

Dean of Students Laurie Hamre stressed that input and opinion still needs to heard all around the table, and that making this policy known now will help these groups plan accordingly for spring break trips that are being organized.

There was great optimism on the committee after the last meeting that this would be the last van meeting "for a good while." However, future changes to policy were briefly discussed at the end of the meeting. The biggest change discussed was the possibility of changing Macalester's van fleet from 15-passenger vans to minivans. This is due to the notorious safety record of the 15-passenger vans. It was brought to the committee's attention that due to lawsuits and falling sales, many automotive manufactures have discontinued the production of 15-passenger vans.

Also mentioned was an informal survey which was conducted by the Athletic Department about vehicles being used by other colleges similar to Macalester. It was emphasized that most of these schools, most notably Kenyon and Carleton, have switched over to minivans or ten passenger vans. The administration felt that if a similar change was to occur at Macalester, it would not happen for at least a few years.