DRUG ACT STIRS DISPUTE
The Repeal Of The Higher Education Act Stirred Controversy
Nationwide And Awaits House Decision

Voices of support and opposition have surfaced around Virginia Tech
following a repeal bill currently on the House floor in the Congress.

The Higher Education Act, amended October 1998, prohibits or suspends
any student convicted of a drug offense from the opportunity to
receive federal financial aid.

The submission of a repeal bill is stirring controversy among
legislative officials, students and organizations.

In March, H.R. 1053 was submitted by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and
attracted national attention.

Coordinating the campaign, the Drug Reform Coordination Network, a
Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization, is raising awareness
of and in opposition to the provision of the HEA.

Some of the controversies surrounding the HEA include allegations of
class and racial discrimination.

These assertions have prompted varying reactions from Tech students
and faculty.

"Under this law, a rapist or murderer could still receive aid, but a
student who was convicted of a nonviolent drug felony could not," said
Joyce Arditti, professor of family and child development and faculty
advisor for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

According to Arditti, the policy is misguided. She believes personal
life should should not be relevant unless someone's performance is
below par or harms others.

"Personal behavior should have nothing to do with it unless it is
clearly causing poor performance," Arditti said.

Jody Olson, president of the Student Government Association, supported
the appeal.

"H.R. 1053 is a positive move because a strong education is one of the
best defenses we have against drugs," Olson said. "By taking away an
opportunity for an education, you are only hurting the people who need
the most help."

Others support the original provision.

"Legislative officials are perfectly licensed to stipulate the
conditions for financial aid eligibility," said Don Creamer, professor
of education leadership and policy studies. "They are the people
responsible for funding and it is their duty to show to constituencies
they have addressed these issues and are dealing with them," Creamer
said.

Steven Janosik, professor of education leadership and policy studies
discussed the significant shift in public policy.

"This is just part of the new accountability that tax payers and
elected officials feel justified in demanding from those who benefit
from government services," Janosik said.

Some have also disputed the issue of discrimination.

"Before you make an assertion, you need to look locally," said Jeff
Cullen, director of Judicial Affairs. "Here at Virginia Tech, drug
offenders are 70 to 80 percent white. They are equally split between
men and women and are predominantly middle to upper middle class."

Cullen also said Tech is not reflective of the national statistics as
a whole.

Although President Bill Clinton has signed the provisions to the HEA,
several additional steps must take place before the policy can go into
effect.

Barry Simmons, director for Scholarships and Financial Aid, explained
the bill is in the negotiated rule making phase.

"Here federal bureaucrats, financial aid administrators, campus police
and professional make decisions to determine the best way to implement
what Congress has already passed," Simmons said.

The next step is the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

"These regulations should be published by late summer," Simmons said.
Once published, the proposal opens for public debate.

By July 1, 2000 the bill may become policy. Michael Krawitz, a junior
in computer engineering and president of NORML, is urging campus and
local support in the repeal of the provision.

"All we are asking for is a heartfelt discussion among community
leaders, students and family folk with businessmen and policy makers,"
Krawitz said. "We are looking for not just good rhetoric or a great
story pitch but actual policy that will benefit the community and
society as a whole."