STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS CAN MAKE CHANGE

Over the past few weeks a lot of controversial issues have been
debated in the editorial pages of the Cigar. I believe it is important
for the student senate to keep up to date on how the student body
reacts to different issues.

Last year the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) approached me
and asked how I felt about the current laws prohibiting students
convicted of drug violations from applying for financial aid. After a
short conversation I pledged my total support in their quest to raise
awareness against an unjust law. They worked diligently all the way to
the top of the university.

First educating the student senate on the facts surrounding the
policy, they explained how the law unconstitutionally punishes people
twice for the same crime. A student could be convicted of a drug
felony and serve his/her sentence, only to return to society unable to
achieve an education because of a crime for which they have already
been punished.

Next, they addressed President Carothers and expressed how the policy
disproportionately affects students from poor families, who are unable
to afford expensive lawyers to avoid such convictions. The President
of SSDP and current student senator Tom Angell has headed this effort,
culminating in speeches before the URI Faculty Senate and Rhode Island
Board of Governors (BOG).

The Faculty Senate has rewarded Angell by unanimously voting to add
their names to the list of concerned citizens who believe education
should not be denied to anyone. President Carothers and I signed our
name next to the thousands of others who are publicly urging our state
senators to address this issue of injustice. This is just a short
example of how one organization with an idea can enact change for a
large number of people.

If you have an idea that you think will make our time here at URI
better, contact your representative on the student senate and have
your voice heard. The senate has been working very hard over the last
year to make it easier for people with complaints or concerns to
contact the Campus Affairs Committee about anything from dining hall
food and parking to safety and lighting.

We also have a very hard working External Affairs Committee tackling
issues including arming the campus police and fighting for increased
state funding. If you feel strongly about any of these issues, I urge
you to join a student organization or run for election to the student
senate. Senate elections will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23 and
Wednesday, Sept. 24.