SMITH RECONSIDERS ALCOHOL, DRUG POLICY

Even though Vice President of Student Affairs Kent Smith was leaning
toward one proposed drug policy, he chose a different policy based on
student response.

Protocol A - the one Smith preferred - classified alcohol and
marijuana as similar offenses and combined alcohol and marijuana
intervention programs. Protocol B - recommended by Student Senate in
Fall Quarter - separates the offenses, and offers intervention
programs tailored to the specific offense.

The new policy, which will take effect in Fall Quarter 2008, states
that a student's first marijuana offense will result in six to nine
months of probation, a fine of $100 and a required marijuana
intervention program. Further offenses will receive more severe
punishments, especially if the student is already on probation for
marijuana or alcohol use.

Smith said he originally supported protocol A but changed his mind
after introducing the policies to the senate.

"The debate changed my mind," Smith said. "The debate caused me to
understand where students were coming from. After really thinking
about, I felt it was the right thing to support Student Senate's
resolution."

The decision to implement the policy next year, as opposed to next
quarter, will give students ample notice of the new policy and allow
other areas of the university to prepare for the change, Smith said.

When announcing the policy at yesterday's senate meeting, Smith said
he felt this was a good example of shared governance, which he defined
as all parties having open minds with at least the potential of
allowing their opinions to be changed.

"I'm very happy," Senate President Tim Vonville said of Smith's
decision. "I appreciate Dr. Smith's commitment to students. This is a
paradigm example of how we can work together to produce a product that
is copasetic for everybody."

Senate Vice President Amanda Roder agreed with Vonville.

"I'm pleased with the outcome because I feel (protocol B) was the best
for students," Roder said. "At the time there were people that still
weren't in agreement (with the protocol), but I think they'll see why
it was chosen."

Protocol B was formally endorsed by the senate in November. A review
and standards committee, charged with choosing the new policy, voted
4-3 in favor of protocol A - the three votes against that protocol
were from student representatives on the committee.