POLICY FOR STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS

As a member of the Student Government Association, I am deeply
disappointed in Director of Resident Life Deb Grandner's decision not
to rectify the marijuana policy for resident students. In my short
time at the university thus far, never before have I seen such an
organized and overwhelming push for a change in policy. The lobby, led
by the Students for Sensible Drug Policy, has picked up student
support from both the Residence Halls Association and SGA along the
way. They have met with administrators, built coalitions and, most
importantly, tirelessly researched the issue to present their case in
a dignified and educated manner. I commend the students of SSDP for
their professionalism in this cause.

If administrators such as Grandner are not willing to compromise on
issues such as this one, how are we to enact change on this campus?
What is left to do when all other avenues of reform have been properly
exhausted? When we can't shape this university to fit the vision that
we as students have for it, what does this say about the notion of
shared governance? Grandner's decision effectively conveys the
impression that she has no regard for student representation in the
decision-making process of her department. There is absolutely no
justification for dismissing such a clear and unified student demand.

The issue is no longer one of marijuana policy. The issue now is
whether we as students have the power to work with administrators in
improving this campus. Grandner may have made her decision, but I'm
confident that the passionate student leadership on this campus will
not stand for being ignored. We must be the witnesses of change, and
that goes for all students, residents or not.

Brad Docherty

Senior Vice President, SGA

Sophomore

Government and politics and international business