SGA RESPONDS TO OCTOBER 2ND'S EVENTS

SGA and SSDP Create Resolution Responding to the Maintenance Checks

The Student Government Association (SGA) is working on passing a
resolution denouncing actions taken against students during the
maintenance inspection that occurred on October 2, 2007.

The resolution, which came from the Students for a Sensible Drug
Policy (SSDP), starts by stating, "It is a vital role of the
university and the state of New Hampshire to uphold constitutional
principles that ensure privacy and due process to all American
citizens." It then describes the Trailer Four incident and the issues
surrounding the incident. These issues include the belief that Rindge
Police "threatened" the administration and the "unannounced" searches.

The resolution then goes on to state that the SGA "denounces the
Rindge Police Department's attempt to 'coerce' university officials
into assisting them with arresting students for nonviolent drug
offenses." The statement also encourages the administration to take
legal action against Rindge Police and to put more thought into
dealing with nonviolent offenses.

The Senate Policy Committee is the group that is working on passing
the resolution. Junior Jaclyn Alessio is Vice President which
automatically makes her chief of the committee. Her committee
received the resolution from the SSDP, made corrections to it, then
passed it with a 6-9 vote. Even though it is passed through the body
with a 33-4 vote, it is still waiting for the presidential ok to be
official. The discussion of the presidential signing of the
resolution will take place this week. As it stands, the present copy
is the final copy.

Although Alessio didn't want to share her opinion of the resolution,
she did want to assure the students that they are looking out for
their best interests. She believes that the SGA is the voice of the
students and should represent the needs of students.

Alessio also stressed that her committee doesn't make the changes.
"Our job isn't to save the school, we hand it to the right division."
said Alessio.

If officially passed, the resolution will be sent to Rindge Police
Department, President Hagerty, Provost Bell, and the Franklin Pierce
University Departments of Residential Life and Judicial Affairs.

Anybody can make a resolution on our campus if they have an issue
they want addressed. One way for the SGA to know about the issues on
campus is Voice Your Opinion Day. This event, organized by the policy
committee, is to spread awareness of the issues that are affecting
our school's students. In the past these issues have included
drinking, undercover cops, and the e-mail policy.

For further information you can contact any member of the SGA or
attend their meetings that occur Wednesdays at 6:30 in Marcucella 102.