UMASS Amherst has banned all Electronic Dance Music events from its campus in response to the rising amount of MDMA-related deaths in the Northeast. The Administration believes that deaths caused by MDMA are directly related to electronic music culture and concerts that support EDM.
The on-campus ban began on September 21st when Fantasia, an electronic dance party at Amherst’s Mullins Center was cancelled by Enku Gelaye, the Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life. Gelaye’s e-mail to the student body encouraged discussion about the effects of Molly and education via information handed out by the police department, Dean of Students Office and University Health Services.
About a week after Fantasia was supposed to occur Gelaye released a second e-mail to the student body cancelling both Above & Beyond’s show on October 4th and Pretty Lights on the 30th. The e-mail was co-signed by the President of Amherst’s Student Government, Zachary Broughton, who participated in multiple talks with campus officials leading up to the decision. The e-mail argued that, “The Molly-taking culture at these shows is real and now exceedingly dangerous to the health and safety of concert attendees.”
The e-mail continues by explaining that “While it is true that college students should be trusted to take responsibility for their own actions, our administrative and student leadership must also take responsibility for creating a safe and positive environment that encourages and cultivates good decision-making.”
Petitions promoting the return of electronic music concerts and the banning of illegal substances like Molly have been circulating throughout the student body. Social Media platforms have been buzzing about this issue, including a huge Twitter response from American Producer Kaskade, who voiced his very strong opinion about UMASS Amherst’s refusal to focus on the real problem.
We believe that Kaskade’s argument is valid. Overdoses are tragic, but so are other forms of death caused by violence and alcohol. We also believe that this ban is a violation of basic student rights. A University cannot control the free will of its students and this ban may only encourage drug use as students rebel against a school policy that isn’t realistic. MDMA use will occur whether electronic events occur on campus or not.
Wouldn’t UMASS Amherst rather hold electronic music functions in a safe, on-campus environment where student health concerns can be addressed?
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