US NY: SUNY STUDENTS: RELAX DRUG POLICIES

SUNY students: Relax drug policies By Nik Bonopartis

NEW PALTZ -- Claiming they have the support of village politicians for more
lax drug policies at SUNY New Paltz, student groups will hold a rally today
to end expulsions of students caught with drugs.

But a village trustee listed as a speaker on the event's flyers said he
never agreed to appear at the rally. And Thursday, the mayor and deputy
mayor dodged inquiries about their involvement.

The protest seeks to pressure college officials into changing the penalties
for students who are caught with drugs.

Students caught with drugs are expelled, with the exception of first-time
marijuana offenders, who may be disciplined or expelled at the college's
discretion.

Event flyers listed Mayor Jason West, Deputy Mayor Rebecca Rotzler and
Trustee Michael Zierler as scheduled speakers.

But Zierler said he will not speak at the rally.

"I was surprised to see my name on the flyer," he said. "I was asked to
speak and I never answered yes or no and I guess they decided I was going
to speak."

Officials keep mum

Reached Thursday, West asked if he could return a call to a reporter later
in the day. He did not return the call and several calls to his cell phone
and office were not returned.

Rotzler said she was headed to New York City and did not have time to comment.

Eric Gullickson, the college's spokesman, said the school administration
recently met with the student association about campus drug policy.

"The college believes its current policy is consistent with our educational
mission and state and federal law," Gullickson said. "We believe the policy
is fair and has worked well for New Paltz for many years."

Student Justin Holmes is among several organizers of the rally. Holmes, a
student senator who helped pass a resolution in favor of ending expulsions
for students caught with drugs, said "a loose coalition" of student groups
would participate in the rally.

He said he expected West to attend and considers him a supporter of more
lax drug policies on campus.

IF YOU GO

Students to rally

What: Rally in protest of drug policies at SUNY New Paltz.

Where: Haggerty Administration Building, SUNY New Paltz campus.

When: 4 p.m.