A CHANCE TO PICK UP THE PIECES

This past week, Florida State University's Senate passed a resolution
concerning the Higher Education Act that would not deny federal financial
aid to an individual convicted of state or federal drug offense. This issue
had been addressed in the student senate several times and was raising
different views from the people involved in the decision making.

"If someone has a serious drug addiction and you take away their financial
aid then they're never going to get help," resolution sponsor Senator Dan
Jenkins said. "I would have to say that this was one of the most
controversial resolutions that we've ever passed, but I think it's all
about getting people to have a better life and education is the first step
to securing a bright future."

By passing this resolution, FSU has joined other prestigious schools in
endorsing the resolution. Yale and George Washington universities are among
the group that have passed a similar resolution dealing with the financial
aid denial.

Senators in charge of sponsoring the bill stressed to the people in
attendance certain key points that would convince them to vote for the
resolution's passing. The main points brought about by the group are the
same thoughts expressed by the Students for Sensible Drug Policy which
state that blocking access to education is counter-productive, the HEA drug
provision will hurt working families, it may have a discriminatory impact,
does not increase funding for drug abuse treatment programs and that
overall it will do nothing to solve the nation's drug problem. Despite the
efforts made by the student senators and organizations in attendance, not
everyone was in agreement about the resolution. Some senators felt that
passing this resolution would add to the school's party reputation and that
there should be other options considered to get the student voice heard.

"I think it would help us more if we passed a resolution that would point
out our positive attributes," Senator Melanie Shoemaker said. "For students
(the passing) could be positive in terms of financial aid. Although in
terms of the school's reputation and how we're known might be negative."

Other groups on campus that took part in the Senate meetings included
members of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws who
feel that not only will the passing of the resolution be good for the
students, but it will also be advantageous to the school's reputation.

"The passing of this resolution shows that our school is willing to stand
up for the things that it believes in," NORML member Josh Childs said. "The
bill has nothing to do with supporting drug policy, it's only saying that
you want people to educate themselves and move forward in the world. I
don't think that will reflect negatively on the school at all."