KEEP STUDENTS IN SCHOOL

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., wants to keep students in
college.

Due to this desire, Frank and 39 co-sponsors proposed H.R. 685 last
week, a bill that would repeal a law barring students with drug
convictions from receiving financial aid. Currently, the Higher
Education Act deems students convicted of drug possession ineligible
to receive financial aid. This year, 29,000 students were ineligible
to receive aid, according to the Department of Education.

Under the act, students convicted once of drug possession are
ineligible to receive financial aid for one year. A second conviction
brings two years of ineligibility, and a third, permanent
ineligibility. Those convicted of selling drugs lose eligibility for
two years on their first offense and permanently after the second.

Neither Frank nor the Editorial Board condones drug usage by college
students. But we agree that a drug posession conviction is no worse
than getting convicted of assault, robbery or any other crime. Why are
students convicted of drug charges being singled out? Needless to say,
it seems rather unfair that students convicted of other crimes remain
eligible to receive financial aid.

"[This bill] doesn't mean that drugs aren't bad. It means that using
marijuana is not worse than rape or arson," Frank told The Daily Texan
Tuesday.

Opponents of the bill assert that putting aid dollars into the hands
of drug offenders allows them to use the money to buy more drugs.
These critics should realize that money students receive can be spent
on anything they choose. No one monitors students to ensure that aid
money is spent on books and food instead of booze and video games. One
can only hope the money is spent responsibly.

Instead of a blanket policy banning drug offenders from receiving
financial aid, authorities should view the transgressions of students
on an individual basis. If a student is convicted of possession of
marijuana, we recommend that authorities view the transgression as a
mild offense and allow the student to remain eligible for financial
aid. If a student is convicted of a more serious crime - like drug
trafficking - then authorities should have the ability to bar him or
her from receiving aid.

The current law not only discriminates against drug users, it
discriminates against the poor. If a UT student not receiving
financial aid is convicted of a drug offense, the repercussions from
the University would be nil. But a student who relies on financial aid
to pay for school could be forced to drop out if convicted on drug
charges.

Unfortunately, Frank has lost this battle before. Last year, a bill
similar to the one Frank introduced this session failed. We compel
legislators to acknowledge that Frank's bill aims to keep students in
college - not drugs on the streets.