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Our View: The RHA took an important step towards representing student
interests by voting against the wishes of Resident Life. Staff Editorial
Posted: 2/28/07 During the past several years, a core group of supporters
has single-mindedly pursued the lessening of marijuana penalties on the
campus. The latest effort by Students for a Sensible Drug Policy was
supported by the RHA last night, which voted in favor of reducing penalties
for marijuana possession in dorms.

We rarely mention the Residence Halls Association directly in this
space, but we do comment on many of the same issues it considers. When
it is the case, however, that we directly oppose the actions of
university administration, the RHA has consistently spoken out on the
opposite side, to the sincere detriment of students.

It is refreshing, then, to see the RHA vote against the desire of
Resident Life. Though the debate is largely symbolic, as the RHA has
no legislative authority, the RHA voted for the bill despite the fact
Resident Life Director Deborah Grandner is against reducing penalties.

Currently, possession of marijuana in a dorm is an A-level violation
of dorm rules, and such possession potentially subjects a student to
suspension, termination of housing and loss of financial aid. The
bill, supported last night, announces RHA support to reduce marijuana
possession to a B-level violation, which carries significantly weaker
penalties.

Why are we so surprised? The RHA receives a significant proportion of
its funding from Resident Life, and its legislative history reflects
strong support for administration positions.

On the issue of cost containment, Resident Life, Resident Facilities
and Dining Services return $10 million in revenue to the university to
offset the effects of tight budgets from the state of Maryland. Yet
the RHA has voted for four straight years to end cost containment. On
the issue of dining, the All-Campus Dining Plan supported by Dining
Services is unnecessarily complex and is blatant theft from student
wallets. Yet, the RHA is in support. The list goes on, and it is good
to see the RHA take the side of the student on this issue.

Years ago, the RHA broke off from being funded by student activities
fees. Perhaps, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, it
is time for them to return.