UT STUDENTS VOTE FOR LEVEL ALCOHOL, POT RULES

AUSTIN (AP) University of Texas students voted Wednesday in favor of a
nonbinding referendum to equalize penalties for alcohol and marijuana
violations.

The Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization referendum passed by 64 percent, The
Daily Texan reported.

Supporters of the measure argued that students shouldn't face stiffer
punishment for marijuana violations than alcohol because alcohol is more
likely to cause addiction, violent behavior and death.

Judie Niskala, campus coordinator for SAFER Texas, said Wednesday in a news
release that the victory, "demonstrates that students clearly recognize the
truth: Alcohol is simply more harmful both to the user and society than
marijuana."

Niskala said in a story in Thursday's editions of The Daily Texan that
advocates will push to talk to the UT System Board of Regents. She said
university officials have not responded to the group's request for a meeting.

The nonbinding referendum was meant to gauge student support. About 7,570
votes were cast, according to the university's student government elections
supervisory board.

The student government did not take a position on the referendum, said
Danielle Rugoff, student body president elect. The student government has
no plans to promote the referendum, she said.

"It was difficult to understand the language, and I remember several
students approached me saying they had voted 'yes,' but asking what they
had voted on," she told the newspaper.

SAFER Choice, a national group that promotes "Safer Alternatives for
Enjoyable Recreation," has pushed for a similar rule changes at the
University of Colorado at boulder. Niskala said UT was targeted because of
its size and "liberal location."

The referendum was part of a student government election and included a
successful measure to begin construction on a new $51 million student
activity center.