STATE AID NOT MEANT FOR DRUG DEALERS

When it comes to state support for higher education, things just
aren't like they used to be. We were reminded of that fact again
yesterday, when the State Higher Education Executive Officers
Association reported that Wisconsin experienced a 16 percent drop in
higher education funding per student between 2001 and 2005.
Nationally, meanwhile, state support is at a 25-year low.

Although it would certainly be nice to see a greater priority be
placed on education in the state and country, the data does reinforce
the need for public universities to make wise decisions with their
increasingly meager bankrolls -- something many institutions have
struggled to achieve.

That's why it was nice to see the Wisconsin Assembly pass a bill
recently that would revoke state financial aid from students if they
are convicted of "possessing, with intent to manufacture, distribute,
or deliver, or of manufacturing, distributing, or delivering"
controlled substances. Dealing drugs, in other words.

No, it won't solve the fiscal woes facing the University of Wisconsin.
Not even close. But it will lead to a tad more equitable distribution
of higher education funds: with those convicted of drug dealing no
longer receiving taxpayer money to attend the university, law-abiding
students who could otherwise could not afford an education may be able
to instead.

But first, let's first look at what the bill, AB1035, is not. It is
not a law that seeks to punish someone for being caught with a small
amount of pot at a party during their junior year in high school. The
law would only apply to those who are convicted after having already
been accepted to receive financial aid. This corresponds with a
similar provision enacted by Congress in regards to federal financial
aid.

This is also not a bill that would punish a student who gets caught
once using a drug once recreationally. It applies only to those who
possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute.

In other words, it would apply to a very narrow group of criminal
offenders -- ones the state of Wisconsin should have no obligation to
subsidize. This doesn't aim to punish a student for life just because
he committed a misdemeanor one time three years ago.

Financial aid is an investment by the state. As with any investment,
the state wants to net a good return, and moreover, minimize the risk
it incurs by subsidizing someone's education. If a student doesn't
take school seriously, or if he or she shows little ability to handle
the rigors of higher education, then it becomes uncertain that the
state will ever reap any benefit from sending someone to college.

And there are indeed important reasons for the state to send kids to
college. Namely, the state seeks to produce well-trained, educated
young people who will later join the workforce and contribute in a
variety of fields as part of the next generation of Wisconsin leaders.
Highly educated workers are increasingly important for the vitality of
a state's economy, especially in a place like Wisconsin that has long
suffered the ill effects of the 'brain-drain.'

Overcoming that condition is an effort in which drug dealers play no
role. In fact, dealers work counterproductively to the reversal of the
brain drain, because not only do they hurt themselves, but they also
potentially wreak havoc on the lives of all the students with which
they do business.

In short, drug dealing has no place on college campuses, and this bill
is a rational solution that actively discourages its practice.

Many Democrats in the Assembly disagreed, saying the bill would punish
people a second time for making a mistake when criminal sanctions are
enough, and that it would.

Yet, there's no short amount of irony to be found there, because the
people who protest AB1035 are the same ones who constantly point to
the perilous condition of financial aid and higher education funding
in this state and country.

For instance, take state Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, who has been a
longtime supporter of increasing accessibility to higher education. He
deserves praise for those efforts, but he sends a decidedly mixed
message through his opposition to AB1035.

Don't worry, Joe Prospective Student, Mr. Black wants to increase your
access to the university. But not if it means he might have to stop
giving state money to convicted drug dealers!

Mr. Black may not agree with me, but given the choice between
subsidizing the education of someone who deals drugs and someone who
doesn't, I'll take the latter. I'm sure Wisconsin taxpayers will side
with me on that one.

Like it or not, financial aid is like any other finite resource. It
has to be rationed in some manner. So let's make sure it's going to
the students who truly deserve it.

Ryan Masse is a senior majoring in political
science and economics.