DESPITE EFFECTIVE POLICIES, DRUGS STILL PLAGUE CAMPUS

Four resident male athletes were caught in violation of the college drug
policy on Feb. 1. One of those involved was charged with a felony for
possession with intent to distribute. Security, Residence Life and the
Virginia Beach Police Department were involved in regulating the situation.

"We were there to ensure that whatever was recovered was properly secured
and documented," said Leo Therrien, director of security. "We secure
whatever items are recovered and keep them in safekeeping for whatever
administrative action will be taken." While there have been a number of
drug violations on campus since the beginning of the academic year, Keith
Moore, director of Residence Life, does not see this increase as unique to
Wesleyan's campus.

"My opinion is that marijuana use is on the rise in high schools and
colleges," said Moore. "What we may see here is reflective of what is going
on with the general population and with other colleges and universities."
Records from last year show most of the drug policy violations were
committed by male athletes, most of whom were first-year students, whereas
seniors accounted for less than 3 percent of such infringements. In the
fall of 2002, the majority of violators was still male, although the
percentage of athletes had decreased.

As stated in the section on Consequences and Sanctions Regarding Illicit
and Unlawful Drugs in the Virginia Wesleyan College Student Handbook, "The
possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs is strictly prohibited on
the property owned or leased by the college or at any college activity. Any
student found possessing, using, or distributing illicit and/or unlawful
drugs is subject to immediate disciplinary or administrative action.
Ordinarily, a student found in violation of the college drug policy can
expect to receive the sanction of suspension or dismissal from the college."

Both Residence Life and Security seem to believe that the policies are
effective in theory and in execution. "Our college does a number of things
for students, giving them a chance to learn from their experiences, even
the negative experiences," said Moore. "We want to help them become good
members of the community. If one is a detriment to himself or to others,
that's when we consider the need for them to be around."

"I feel that with the combination of Residence Life and Security, we manage
to handle most incidents," Therrien said. "Although most incidents are
minor in nature, there's always room for excessive abuse by some.
Security's concern is how it affects the community." Those who violate the
college drug policy generally go before the Community Arbitration Board
(CAB) for one of two reasons: either it is a severe incident that may
result in suspension, or the offender is someone who is already on sanction
in as far as disciplinary status within the school.

Thereafter, offenders may face suspension -- a formal separation for a
period of time, at the end of which reapplication is allowed or dismissal,
in which the student has no right to reapply. "I believe all proceedings
involving the Community Arbitration Board are exceedingly fair," Therrien said.

Moore went on to emphasize the importance that is placed upon the students
being aware of the process. "We almost have a template for how we do
things," he said. "Once a situation occurs, it's like a machine -- it's
important that [students] are not unaware of what's going on. "I wish that
people would make the right choices. This is a great place to be. Their
education is one of, if not the most important thing in their life right
now, and they shouldn't jeopardize it. It's not worth it."