Pubdate: Wed, 17 Sep 2003
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2003 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Author: David Damron, Sentinel Staff Writer

STUDENTS FIRE COMPLAINTS IN UCF PRESIDENT'S FORUM

The president of the University of Central Florida fielded questions
Tuesday from sometimes-irate students complaining about drug policies,
flags on campus and the university's involvement with defense
contractors.

"I do declare you war profiteers," English major Robert Coffman, 23,
told President John Hitt and a row of UCF officials. There is "blood
on your fingernails."

Coffman protested what he sees as UCF's eagerness to partner with
defense industry giants such as Lockheed Martin, or other companies
that employ sweatshop labor or environmentally destructive practices.

For instance, UCF's Web site publicizes its work with U.S. military
services and companies to create lasers, underwater attack systems and
other war technology, he said.

Hitt waved off the student's concerns, saying war is a sad fact of
life and that UCF's work with the defense industry "feels just fine to
me."

He added, "We appreciate hearing from you."

Coffman was one of many students who complained at the forum, held at
UCF's Student Union. In past years, as few as two students showed up.
This year, more than 100 attended.

Most complaints were about a new "zero tolerance" drug policy that
kicks anyone off campus who is caught once with a small amount of drugs.

UCF used to give school officials latitude to offer counseling or
community service, letting students stay on campus unless it was a
severe or drug-dealing offense. Five students were told this summer
that they could no longer live on campus.

Hitt said he was unaware of the policy change, but other UCF officials
said it sprung from complaints by students that there was too much
drug use on campus.

"It was kind of getting out of hand," Christi Hartzler, UCF's housing
and resident life director, said after the forum. One student has been
kicked off campus so far this fall, she said.

Other state campuses, such as University of Florida, have kept
policies in place allowing latitude toward minor drug use.

One of the bigger draws for the forum Tuesday was continued student
angst over installing U.S. flags in each classroom. UCF officials
started putting up more than 300 flags last week after a conservative
student group raised money for them.

Students asked Hitt why administrators are siding with the flag
supporters, who claim the flags merely stand for freedom, while at the
same time refusing to expand four "free speech zones" on campus.

Some students also wanted more of a chance to officially weigh in on
the flag matter.

Hitt said student input wasn't required on the flag issue. It was his
call, he said.

Free speech can occur anywhere on campus, Hitt maintained. But
protests or other political activity must stay in the free speech
zones, he said. 
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