STUDENTS CREATING A 'SENSIBLE' GROOVE

Students creating a 'sensible' groove

With the memories of summer music festivals fading and cold temperatures on
the horizon, students will have one last chance to see outdoor music in the
area at the Autumn Groove Saturday at Altoona Beach Park.

However, the festival, thrown by the UW-Eau Claire chapter of Students for a
Sensible Drug Policy, has a purpose that may be misunderstood by some
students.

"People think we are a bunch of stoners," said senior Michelle Stiehl,
secretary of SSPD, but that is one of several common misconceptions toward
the group.

Contrary to many students' beliefs, senior Kevin Korth said SSPD is not out
to legalize marijuana, but to repeal the drug provision in the 1998 Higher
Education Amendments.

Section 668.40 of the 1998 Higher Education Amendments state that any
student who has a controlled substance conviction under state or federal law
is ineligible for financial aid for a time period ranging from a year to
indefinitely, depending on the number and severity of offenses.

SSPD had been working to raise opposition to the provision since it became
law by writing letters, collecting signatures for petitions and throwing
rock concerts.

"If we make a profit, we're going to put it toward someone who was kicked
out," Stiehl said. The group's goal is to be able to award a scholarship of
between $250 and $500.

The concert will be from 2 to 10 p.m. at Altoona Beach Park and feature the
musical acts Beauts, Byron Space Circus and the Smoking Bandits. Down Lo
will headline the event.

The St. Paul, Minn.-based Down Lo is a regional band that played at the
10,000 Lakes Festival. They also have opened for Wyclef Jean.

"(The band's sound is) an eclectic mix of a lot of different sounds,"
guitarist and vocalist Mark Grundhoefer said, "with a real overtone of
funk."

Grundhoefer said the band also supports the repeal of the act and it will
often play at benefit concerts if the cause is something the band feels
strongly about.

In addition to music, there will be a beer garden open for those of age, a
speaker and food. The concert is open to people of all ages and free for the
public.

People involved in this concert aren't the only ones against the bill.
Kathleen Sahlhoff, director of financial aid, said although she doesn't
support drug use, she does support separating drug policies and financial
aid for three reasons.

The first reason, Sahlhoff said, is that the bill discriminates against
students of low income, because students who don't need financial aid aren't
affected.

Another, she said, is that law is specific to this crime. So, a student
convicted of rape or assault still would be eligible, while someone with
drug conviction would not.

Sahlhoff said if somebody has paid his or her debt to society, she feels
getting an education will help the person move forward in his or her life.

She said it looks like legislation will be passed that will change the
policy so the conviction has to be while enrolled in school. However, she
feels it should be completely separate from financial aid.

Stiehl said this is an important issue that deserves support.

"If you lost your financial aid, it'd be important to you."