DRUG CONVICTIONS COST STUDENTS FINANCIAL AID

The number of college students being caught with drugs nationwide has
been rapidly increasing over the past few years, according to officials.

Not only are these students facing criminal charges, but their access
to education may be limited if they are convicted. Enacted in 2000,
the Aid Elimination Penalty provision of the Higher Education Act
states that federal aid may be taken from any student that is
convicted of any drug-related charge.

John Delaney, vice chancellor of student development, said that the
law is "rather half-baked. Students are expected to self-report their
status when they apply for federal financial aid." According to
Delaney, "There is not a good working mechanism for the application
of this law.

"There is no distinction between serious or minor offenses," Delaney said.

"I am not advocating the use of illegal substances, but I do believe
that the law is very hindering to students," he said.

To date, nearly 200,000 students in the nation have lost federal
financial aid as a result of this amendment, Delaney said. While this
situation does not immediately apply to any UTC students, the
consequences could be damaging for any UTC student caught in
possession of illegal substances.

Dee Dee Anderson, assistant vice chancellor and dean of students,
said student development takes careful steps in drug cases on campus.

"Once the office receives an incident report, we like to react as
soon as possible, preferably within two or three days," Anderson said.

According to Anderson, student development schedules a hearing with
the accused student to find out if the charges are accurate and also
to learn if there are other issues affecting the student's life at
the time of the incident.

Anderson said that social or academic problems might also be relevant
to the case.

If a student is found to be in violation of the UTC's drug policy, a
variety of punishments can take place. These range in severity from
loss of privileges to dismissal from the university, Anderson said.

Housing probation is also a possible consequence. A student is
allowed to remain in university housing on a probationary status. If
any other violations occur, the student may be asked to leave
university housing, but may still maintain student status.

Disciplinary probation is another option. In this case, if any other
violations occur with a particular student, he or she may be
suspended or dismissed completely from the university. However,
complete dismissal is a rare punishment, Anderson said.

"During my time at this university, there have been no evictions due
to drug charges," she said.

The amount of drug cases referred to student development "ebbs and
flows" Anderson said.

Specific statistics on these types of cases have not been kept, and
the department is currently trying to begin keeping records.

Unless student development finds it necessary, charges may not be
filed with courts.

The legal system and the education hearing system are two separate
entities, though UTC police and Residence Life do work closely with
Student Development in certain drug cases, Delaney said.

"Our main goal is to keep the university environment as one conducive
to learning," Anderson said. "Ultimately, we want every student to
have the opportunity to graduate."