Thursday, September 2, 2010
Drugs UA's marijuana policy
Posted by Max Brantley on Thu, Sep 2, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Remember the item earlier this week about whether the University of Arkansas had or had not made campus punishment for marijuana the same as that for alcohol violations? (Bottom line was that, despite notices that the rules had been equalized, top-level administrators put the kibosh on easing pot penalties.)
Those who backed the rule change aren't happy about it. Their release is on the jump. There will be a protest. That's what college is for, right? (And drinking beer and smoking pot.)
By way of proof that the deal was done, then reversed, students have distributed:
1) The new campus guidelines, now moot.
NEWS RELEASE
U. of Arkansas Officials Adopt and Release New Guidelines Equalizing Marijuana and Alcohol Sanctions, Then Repeal Them Without Explanation Following Media Exposure
Students call on Chancellor to explain his decision to overstep other administrators who approved new guidelines, and why UA prefers students use alcohol — a substance that contributes to overdose deaths, date rapes, and violence — instead a substance that does not: MARIJUANA
Students to protest in front of Chancellor Dave Gearhart's office on FRIDAY, Sep. 3rd at 12 p.m. (see below for details)
** PHOTO OPPORTUNITY — Students will have signs and hold a brief news conference **
FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas officials have repealed new guidelines that equalized penalties for student alcohol and marijuana use. The guidelines were adopted last week by the RazorCat Board, a rule-making group consisting of the dean of students, the associate dean for student life, and other administrators, in response to a successful student referendum. (See attachment for the newly approved university guidelines.)
The Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) referendum was approved by 67 percent of student voters last spring, and called for equalization of university penalties for marijuana and alcohol as a means of curbing levels of dangerous drinking. Students have argued that current penalties, which are harsher for marijuana, steer students toward drinking and away from using a less harmful substance.
"The students have spoken and so have the officials on the RazorCat Board," said UA student Stephen Duke, president of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) chapter at UA and a spokesman for the SAFER campaign. "Based on our discussions with school officials, the University's decision to overturn the new guidelines is based purely on protecting the school's image and not on protecting student safety and well-being."
During and following the board meeting, Associate Dean Kenner and Dean of Students Daniel Pugh made it clear that the University does not agree that marijuana is safer than alcohol, and that its decision is based largely on its fear of appearing in a negative light.
In response, students will be holding a protest and brief news conference Friday, Sep. 3, at 12 p.m. in front of Chancellor Dave Gearhart's office. At the event, students will call on the chancellor to explain the decision to overturn the RazorCat Board-approved guidelines, as well as the school's position that marijuana is NOT safer than alcohol, thus should be punished more harshly.
On Tuesday, the University distributed a media advisory announcing that its guidelines for marijuana and alcohol sanctions would not be changed, suggesting the students had erred in suggesting that they would.
Yet, at the board's meeting last week, board chair and Associate Dean for Student Life Aisha Kenner said:
"Essentially what we've done is we've equalized the alcohol and the drug violations to be more reflective of the University of Arkansas policy and process. I think that we would be remiss in doing nothing...
"That information is going to go out to the students in the residence halls, and I believe move in starts tomorrow. Maybe? So, we want to make sure that we get that information out...
"Taking into consideration there's an increase in enrollment... We think that the judicial cases are probably going to go up this year, and we want to make sure that we've gotten the information out to the students so that they can at least make an informed decision."
——————————————————————————————————
WHAT: Protest and brief news conference regarding the University's overturning of newly approved marijuana-alcohol equalization guidelines
WHEN: Friday, September 3, 12 p.m.
WHERE: On W. Maple Street in front 425 Administration Building (which houses Chancellor Dave Gearhart's office, University of Arkansas campus
WHO: UA students
UA chapters of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
Speaking of...
-
Legislator promoting time machine at UA
January 19, 2012State Rep. Jon Woods, who's seeking a Senate seat this year, has other weighty matters on his plate. /more/
-
Kitchen Incubator planned for West Memphis
December 2, 2011The city of West Memphis has developed plans to revitalize the depressed Arkansas delta by building its own 6,000 square foot kitchen incubator. /more/
-
Maylon Rice announces for state House
November 30, 2011Maylon Rice, a former newspaperman who's now director of the Boston Mountain Solid Waste District, has announced he'll run for the legislature as a Democrat for House District 85. /more/
-
Brownback student critic heading to Arkansas
November 28, 2011Emma Sullivan, the Kansas high school student who made a disparaging remark about Gov. Sam Brownback, is not backing down. /more/
-
Spending on sports
November 23, 2011A partial summary of revenues and expenditures from the five public Division 1 universities in Arkansas. Data on athletic expenditures is reported annually by the state Department of Higher Education. /more/
-
The cost of big-time football
November 12, 2011Joe Nocera, writing in the New York Times about the sex abuse case rocking Penn State, is unstinting in his criticism of the school and Paterno for its failures, particularly in an area that had already been rocked by Catholic church sex abuse. /more/
- More »
Comments (11)
Showing 1-11 of 11
Dog bites man.
"Never tell the truth when a lie will do" Enabran Tain, Star Trek
like
dislike
Where are all the big libs on this? Obumble is prez, while big lib dems control both houses of congress, yet they have done nothing, zilch, zero, nada, nothing on legalization of mari-jane. Big libs have been notorious for being big talkers with not much action, yet big libs aren't even talking on this one. They could single handedly wipe out the national debt in one easy fell swoop that I suspect about 60% of all Americans would support and applaud. But yet what do we get from big lib dems? No talk and no action. Big libs in name only, 'cause they definitely don't accomplish a damn thing.
Cato,
I'm reminded of those old lyrics:
"Why can't they be like we were,
Perfect in every way.
What's the matter with kids today?"
"Where are all the big libs on [legalizing mari-jane]?"
They're hiding behind the armoire, ActMax. The old one stored in the shed out back.
ActMax you need to slow down and think ! Why didn't Reagan do something when he was afterall the first and only repub that had a chance of doing anything but like all repub's all mouth no guts.
Big libs are the ones that are "supposed" to take a lead on this. Reagan and repubs are too worried about offending church going folk to even dare and venture down this road, although some may vote for it if the big lib dems had the balls to bring it up. Wepublicans are a totally hopeless cause on this, but I had some hope left that dems would do something, why I don't know considering they have no balls either.
Politician = Spineless, gutless sustainer of the status quo all while padding their swiss bank account with lobbyist money.
Still trying to figure out why the university has any penalties that are in addition to local, state and federal laws.
The only politician with a national microphone that I've heard speaking of ending the INSANITY of federal drug laws is Ron Paul.
Last time I saw-heard Paul he was in a Republican presidential debate being hammered by Huck-a-buck over Bush's USELESS war-making and spending.
When it comes to exercising good sense both corporate parties draw a blank.
Vote Green, it may the poorest chance you have but it's the ONLY chance you have.
.
Ironfortified is right. Why is the University even involved? Why do they think they need to get their pound of flesh in addition to the criminal penalties the students face? I assume the U of A judicial system only applies to persons living in residence halls and frats and sororities. Otherwise, I don't think they legally could get involved.
Some kids I know got caught smoking on campus the other night by UAPD--some had marijuana on them and got arrested, but a few others there didn't. They all have to go before the judicial board, though. One who didn't have weed on him, and who doesn't ever smoke because he doesn't like it, told the cops he hadn't smoked and wasn't high. They told him to tilt his head back, shined the flashlight in his eyes, and told him he was lying, and that they could somehow "tell" he was under the influence.
One of the others without any weed on them, who has a possession charge on his record, was told he could get a felony now just for being high, and that he should be worried that the j-board would decide to kick him out of his dorm, or school altogether.
Is this really how we should be reacting to students' possession of marijuana, while the highly-encouraged Greek life throws alcohol-laden parties literally almost every night? I mean, the whole Phi Delt thing where the kid had a .68 BAC was just last year. I shouldn't even have to get into the whole "alcohol is much more dangerous than weed" argument, or even the "weed has never killed anyone and it is impossible to overdose on it" discussion. Anyone without a devout attachment to the idea that marijuana is inherently evil knows these things.
Author Archives
-
Corporations score tax windfall
Another reminder in the New York Times today of why income tax rates hold little meaning since so many loopholes reduce the effect of high marginal rates.
- Dec 30, 2011
-
89-year-old woman dies after home fire
The Little Rock Fire Department said an 89-year-old woman died at a hospital after a fire in her home at 1710 Lilac Circle about 8:30 p.m. last night.
- Jan 16, 2012
- More »
Event Calendar
-
Re: Thursday night line
My favorite band, eL. There's nothing else better.
- on February 9, 2012
-
Re: Thursday night line
Though in all honesty, eLwood, it seems rather cruel of the nation to ridicule Michele…
- on February 9, 2012
-
Re: Thursday night line
With all the problems this country faces we are discussing birth control in 2012? Really?…
- on February 9, 2012
Top Commenters
Blogroll
Site Index
News
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / Smart Talk / The Insider / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Bob Lancaster / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
Entertainment
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Graham Gordy / Books / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / What's Cookin' / Calendar / The Televisionist / Movie Listings / Gallery Listings
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
