UVM STUDENT GOVERNMENT VOTES TO DUMP DRUG QUESTION The Student Government at the University of Vermont voted Tuesday night to join the fight against a new policy that delays or denies federal financial aid to students with illegal drug convictions. After half an hour of debate, about 30 voting members decided to add UVM's name to the list of more than 20 colleges and universities nationwide petitioning to rid the Higher Education Act of the drug provision. A new question on the federal financial aid form asks college students whether they have any drug convictions. A conviction keeps them from receiving federal aid. For those seeking aid next year, the question will become more strict: Students will no longer be able to get away with simply leaving the question blank. UVM Student Government President Chris Allen said the issue is being handled very seriously within the student government and he will see to it that a letter stating UVM's position on the issue is sent to senators James Jeffords and Patrick Leahy and Rep. Bernie Sanders. Allen said the student government is making a statement by joining the protest. "If you can accomplish that, then you have a chance to really catch somebody's eye," Allen said. While the measure passed easily Tuesday night, it was not unanimous. Patrick Collins, Student Government speaker of the senate, was against it. "I don't think our dollars should be used to subsidize students who break the law," Collins said. First and second drug offenses make a person ineligible for aid for one or two years, he noted. "I don't think (the provision) has the long-term damaging effects it has been made out to have." If the move to dump the provision makes it to the House, it might find support from Sanders. A spokesman for the congressman said he "thinks that criminal justice is a separate sphere from education."
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