Pubdate: Sat, 30 Apr 2005
Source: Poughkeepsie Journal (NY)
Copyright: 2005 Poughkeepsie Journal
Contact:  http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1224
Author: Hemmy So
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SUNY DRUG RULE PROTESTED

NEW PALTZ -- Village and Ulster County officials joined student protesters 
Friday to urge SUNY New Paltz administrators to stop expelling students 
caught with drugs.

"Despite the administration's position that this is not a village issue and 
we should not be here speaking today ... my constituency is facing eviction 
without due process or appeal," said Mayor Jason West, a State University 
of New York at New Paltz alumnus.

A controversial SUNY New Paltz policy requires expulsion for students 
caught with drugs. Marijuana offenders are expelled after a second offense.

Vice President of Student Affairs David Rooney denied West's charges.

"None of that could possibly be true. It's a public institution. Students 
are certainly given their 14th Amendment right to due process," Rooney said.

The college gives notice to students of any charges and possible sanctions, 
and provides a timely hearing with the right to have an adviser present, 
Rooney said.

The Student Senate passed a resolution in November requesting the abolition 
of what students say is an overly harsh policy.

Other Schools Less Strict

Junior Jenny Loeb, a student senator who helped organize the event, said 
other SUNY colleges have more-liberal drug policies that treat drug abuse 
as a health problem and offer students help instead of expulsion.

Village Trustee Michael Zierler and Ulster County Legislator Hector 
Rodriguez, D-New Paltz, spoke at the rally and praised students' efforts.

Administrators did not attend but have no intention of changing drug policy.

"We're very comfortable with the policy and it's in line with state and 
federal laws," college spokesman Eric Gullickson said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth