Pubdate: Mon, 14 Apr 2003
Source: Oregon Daily Emerald (U of Oregon, OR Edu)
Copyright: 2003, Oregon Daily Emerald
Contact:  http://www.dailyemerald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1518
Author: Caron Alarab - Safety/Crime/Transportation Reporter

UNIVERSITY HOUSING ALLOWS EVICTED STUDENT TO RETURN

Although freshman Richard Brooker fought for weeks to get the eviction 
reversed, the decision came too late

The pressures of finals week can be a real stress for any student. But 
finals turned out to be extremely difficult for freshman Richard Brooker 
when the University forced him to move out of his residence hall room 
during the last week of winter term.

The week prior, Brooker was issued a summary eviction -- an immediate 
notice of ejection, without trial -- based on drug-related charges that 
were quickly dropped in a Eugene court. After weeks of protesting the 
decision, Brooker has finally had the eviction removed -- a resolution 
that, in his opinion, came too late in the game.

"I'm here to learn," he said. "And if they really had my best interest at 
heart, I don't think they would have forced me out the week of finals."

In late February, the Eugene Police Department charged Brooker with 
possession of less than an ounce of marijuana as well as manufacturing and 
delivery of controlled substances after officers gained access to his 
Thornton Hall room in Bean Complex and confiscated various drug paraphernalia.

A few days later, Brooker pleaded guilty to possession at his arraignment, 
which resulted in a $400 fine and a six-month suspension of his driver's 
license. However, the more severe charges, which were the basis of the 
immediate eviction, were dropped. The dropped charges prompted Brooker to 
question why certain officials were so hasty to remove him, he said.

"It seemed like they were making the situation as difficult for me as 
possible," he said.

Although she was unable to comment on any student's case specifically, 
Residence Life Director Sandy Schoonover said summary evictions, though 
rare, are issued based on the safety of the community, not on good or bad 
timing.

"We're always very concerned with students' academic endeavors," she said.

Since his eviction, Brooker said he has worked with the Office of Student 
Advocacy to determine his rights and arrange a meeting to plead his case.

Brooker said he had an informal meeting with Student Judicial Affairs 
Director Chris Loschiavo early Friday afternoon to reiterate his innocence, 
remove the eviction from his record and cancel a 50-foot ban from campus 
residence halls. At Brooker's request, Student Advocacy Director Hilary 
Berkman also attended the meeting, which lasted about an hour.

Because of federal and state law, Loschiavo could not confirm or deny the 
existence of the case, but said the Office of Housing only issues summary 
evictions when a student is -- in one way or another -- threatening the 
well being of other students in the residence halls.

In reference to drug-related offenses, Vice President and Dean of Students 
Anne Leavitt said the University has been making greater efforts to step up 
the level of information, communication and prevention in an effort to 
encourage students to follow the rules.

"Substance abuse has no place in the residence halls and is contradictory 
to the kind of environment (the University) wants to encourage," she said. 
"We don't want that to ever be a surprise to students living in the 
residence halls."

Brooker said the resolution he reached with Loschiavo cleared the eviction 
and removed the ban. He was also put on a probation period for the duration 
of the academic year, which could be reinstated if he is caught with 
alcohol or drugs after moving back into the residence halls.

Because he was evicted so quickly, and the process of protesting the 
eviction took so long, Brooker has already signed a new housing contract at 
Ducks Village.

Brooker said Loschiavo told him to write a three-to five-page paper on his 
life goals, focusing on how marijuana may prevent him from achieving them.

"Chris was the only person who really cared at all about what happened with 
me," he said. "Like, if I had a problem with smoking pot, he wanted to help 
me with that problem and see to it that I have a future."

The specifics of that essay -- as well as the rules of his probation -- 
were said to be included in an official letter delivered to him by April 7, 
Brooker said. Loschiavo said he never would have given a student a deadline 
or timeframe to receive official notifications.

As of Wednesday evening, Brooker had not received the letter, which he said 
could be a result of either his change of address or University records 
that have yet to be updated. In anticipation of the document's arrival, 
Brooker said he will be glad to see the eviction lifted, although it has 
not changed his opinion of the process.

"I really disliked the way the school went about it," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Alex