UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT WANTS POT-GROWING PROFESSOR FIRED

VICTORIA -- The president of the University of Victoria wants to fire a
sociology professor convicted of growing and selling marijuana .

Jean Veevers, was fined $15,000 and given a conditional 12-month sentence
to be served in the community after being convicted of cultivating
marijuana and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

RCMP officers raided Veevers' residence in April 1997, seizing 122
marijuana plants and 8.6 kilograms of marijuana.

She was suspended and relieved of her duties at the university effective
Friday.

University president David Strong said he is recommending the UVic board of
governors dismiss Veevers.

During the trial, evidence showed she offered to pay tuition fees for a
prospective UVic student "as an inducement for that person to continue as a
partner in the illegal activities which led to Dr. Veevers' conviction,"
Strong said.

Veevers declined to comment on the university's call for her dismissal, but
her lawyer Mel Hunt said Veevers "most certainly will be fighting it and
will pursue all legal remedies in that regard."

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski