TEST OF TOLERANCE

Students and faculty at Vermont's state university face two very different
tests of the word tolerance this month. In one case, more is needed, and in
the other less.

First, the University of Vermont community must continue to call for
tolerance and civility to counter the rash of ugly and violent threats made
against gay and lesbian students this fall. This campaign of cowardice
merits scorn and the full attention of campus police.

The other test should be answered with zero tolerance -- toward drug use.
UVM's student government will meet today to consider urging Congress to
repeal a 1998 law that denies federal financial aid to students with drug
convictions.

The vote is strictly symbolic, but students should vote in support of the
law and the message it carries, one that is particularly needed at UVM. It
is this: Stay straight, and earn rewards; use drugs and expect consequences.

In a nation where college costs are rising above the rate of inflation and
financial aid is limited, government's rewards must go to students who
avoid drugs despite strong temptation.

Granted, there are cogent arguments against the law -- including the one
that offenders have already paid a penalty and need opportunities to recover.

However, this reasoning is outweighed by the important and much-needed
message in the law. It says that there are consequences to drug use, and
that they might sting to the tune of thousands of dollars.

So far, the law's impact has been minimal. Only one UVM student has been
denied federal aid, and in that case the university made up the difference.
Nor are students who get caught with small amounts of marijuana in Vermont
likely to suffer -- since many of those cases are never prosecuted.

However, UVM's above-average binge-drinking rate and annual pro-pot rally
are signs of party school excess that hurt the learning climate and
recruiting. In this context, a vote for repeal would be yet another
indication that "dazed and confused" is the motto for too many students at UVM.

Nor should the vote be viewed as an isolated civil rights question. The
national petition drive for repeal is sponsored by the Drug Reform
Coordination Network, a Washington D.C. organization that advocates for
drug legalization. It's no wonder that this group protests anything that
might stigmatize drug users.

Legalization that could increase the use and access to drugs that are
already linked to enormous misery -- from death to crime to child neglect
to AIDS -- is a worrisome prospect.

That's all the more reason for UVM students to show intolerance for habits
that hurt society and higher education. Message to student government: Vote
against repeal.