SAFER Resolution fails ASG Senate
10 senators abstain from voting
Jonathan Crabtree
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Last minute changes to the proposed Razorback SAFER Resolution failed to sway the Associated Student Government Senate, as only eight Senators voted in favor of the resolution.
The main thrust behind the resolution in its original form was that "the ASG of the UA recognizes that the recreational use of marijuana by students at the UA is less harmful to both the user and the UA community than alcohol."
"We looked at all of its merits and one of the primary reasons why we decided it should not be passed was that the outcome would not be in line with the intent," said Sen. Sarah Sparkman, who gave the committee report on the legislation.
If set guidelines were made concerning marijuana use, the UA would be stricter; which would not go along with the original intent of the resolution, she said.
Sen. Megan Bright, one sponsor of the resolution, chose to make a dramatic change in the legislation by striking its previously mentioned goals altogether, as well as the remaining issues such as asking the UA to clearly describe all policies and procedures relating to alcohol and drug offenses by students. In its place, she amended the resolution to state that, "in keeping with the academic environment of the UA … corrective educational consequences be emphasized over punitive ones."
The UA currently deals with instances of marijuana use on a case-by-case basis, Bright said. The first offense for a student caught with a joint should be different than the first offense for a student caught with two pounds of marijuana, Bright said.
"First, you'll receive an e-mail about what the charges are against you, then you'll have a meeting with some member of the Office of Student Ethics," Bright said, regarding the current judicial process. "They tell you what your rights are and what could happen," Bright said. After that, the student can choose how they want the situation dealt with.
"I really feel that, in my best faith effort, the current policy that we have right now is really working for the majority of students," Bright said.
The main thrust behind the resolution in its original form was that "the ASG of the UA recognizes that the recreational use of marijuana by students at the UA is less harmful to both the user and the UA community than alcohol."
"We looked at all of its merits and one of the primary reasons why we decided it should not be passed was that the outcome would not be in line with the intent," said Sen. Sarah Sparkman, who gave the committee report on the legislation.
If set guidelines were made concerning marijuana use, the UA would be stricter; which would not go along with the original intent of the resolution, she said.
Sen. Megan Bright, one sponsor of the resolution, chose to make a dramatic change in the legislation by striking its previously mentioned goals altogether, as well as the remaining issues such as asking the UA to clearly describe all policies and procedures relating to alcohol and drug offenses by students. In its place, she amended the resolution to state that, "in keeping with the academic environment of the UA … corrective educational consequences be emphasized over punitive ones."
The UA currently deals with instances of marijuana use on a case-by-case basis, Bright said. The first offense for a student caught with a joint should be different than the first offense for a student caught with two pounds of marijuana, Bright said.
"First, you'll receive an e-mail about what the charges are against you, then you'll have a meeting with some member of the Office of Student Ethics," Bright said, regarding the current judicial process. "They tell you what your rights are and what could happen," Bright said. After that, the student can choose how they want the situation dealt with.
"I really feel that, in my best faith effort, the current policy that we have right now is really working for the majority of students," Bright said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Devron Osborne
posted 4/12/07 @ 12:35 PM CST
I was quite disappointed today to pick up The Traveler and read the front page article stating that the SAFER resolution failed. From the looks of the cover story and the page 4 column, it seems as if our ASG Senators are heading down the same path that was paved before them, and I think most of this country wants to see major changes in politics in the future. (Continued…)
Post a Comment