The spotlight is almost always on public figures. And for President Stephen Jennings, the spotlight got even harsher when he was arrested July 1 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was allowed to enter Vanderburgh County’s Drug and Alcohol Deferral Service.
The aftermath has caused mixed emotions not only for Jennings but also for the UE community.
He is now trying to accept what happened and move on, using the events as a learning experience.
The following are excerpts from the conversation Editor-in-Chief Andrew Arnold and News Editor Sara Azarian had with the president last week.
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Crescent: Was there a particular reason why you chose not to take the chemical test?
Jennings: Well, because I had already taken the field test. My understanding from attorney friends is that that is sufficient, so that was my decision.
C: Who was it hardest to tell?
J: Well, frankly my two daughters, who have always seen me as bulletproof. And I think—of this thing—that’s been the hardest.
I called them the next day to tell them, so that was the most difficult thing.
My attempt to be positive about this, and me owning up to it quickly, was supported by the board of trustees on that Monday afterward and their unanimous support has been everything.
As I mentioned to the [Orientation Leaders] and the [resident assistants]—I discussed it with them and apologized to them—I’m giving you as I gave them my assurance that it will never happen again, which is an important part of the message.
I think taking responsibility, owning up to it in a very public way was good. It worked.
C: How did the OLs and RAs react when you told them?
J: I did offer to do programs RAs do on alcohol awareness. I’ve offered to be a resource for them and to talk with students throughout this year on implications of what happened to me and how I’m learning from it. I want them to fully realize the implications of all this.
My first offense will be my last offense. But I thought it was important to take action in a very public way.
C: In your opinion, how has this affected the integrity of UE?
J: I think it’s still early on [to tell]. I think the only action I could take as a leader and president was to take responsibility for it and not run from it or pretend it didn’t happen.
C: Besides DADS, what steps are you taking to make sure this doesn’t happen again—especially things students would want to know about or won’t necessarily see?
J: I think their understanding of how stress is handled and how I address that.
I think one aspect is job-related receptions and dinners. Instead of three receptions in one night, I need to manage what I do with my time there, still showing up for the university. So that’s been constructive and helpful.
I think it’s important for them also to know that my focus and determination never has been stronger on the work that needs to be done in what will be a remarkable year at [UE] with the University Center opening in a couple of months.
C: How will students be able to take you seriously?
J: I think they’ve, in their lives, experienced people that have had similar kinds of instances. It’s been my experience that students understand these things pretty well if you’re transparent and available and not running from it, and I think my starting a new year here speaks for itself and how I’m perceived.
C: How will this incident also affect campus alcohol-related activity?
J: I hope I can prevent that for students so that they can see for themselves the price you pay personally and professionally for something like this.
I fully intend to make it an educational component firsthand for students.
C: What is the main thing you’d like students to take from this?
J: Use good judgment. When they’re in a situation where there’s drinking and driving, get a designated driver or take $20 to get a cab.
Take no chances that could ever put them in a position like I was. This is serious business, and the state, as they should, takes it very seriously.
I think that talking to one another about these things, and using me as an example, is important so that that doesn’t happen to students.
C: How has this been a life-changing experience for you?
J: Obviously, it’s caused me to do a lot of reflection, and out of that reflection I’m trying to become a better person so this won’t ever happen again to me or people I love and care about. I think in that sense it’s been significant, and I’m really taking it that way.
I’m trying to find the silver lining, and it seems to me that’s one thing I’m building on, and that’s very good.
I can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube; all I can do is go forward.
