Pubdate: Fri, 26 Jan 2007
Source: Observer, The (Notre Dame, IN, Edu)
Copyright: 2007 The Observer
Contact: http://www.nd.edu/~observer/today/edletter.html
Website: http://www.ndsmcobserver.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4037
Author: John Tierney
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SUSPENSION PROVOKES DEBATE

Students Divided Over McAlarney Decision

The University decided Monday how to deal with Notre Dame basketball
player Kyle McAlarney's marijuana possession charges - suspension from
Notre Dame - but students are still grappling with the case and its
outcome.

Many students said they support the decision to suspend the sophomore
guard - who was pulled over and arrested near campus early on Dec. 29
- - and hailed it as consistent with du Lac, while others expressed
frustration with what they saw as unfair aspects of University policy.

"This was a big punishment, but it was deserved," freshman Jill
Schroeder said. "It sends the message there's no special treatment for
athletes and the policy is fair."

But students like junior Jake Watson said the University overreacted
to the arrest since marijuana was involved - an issue not just for
McAlarney, he said, but any student caught for possession.

"They'll just fine someone $15 for getting caught with a beer in the
hallway underage, but I know people who got kicked out of the school
for having pot," he said. "Really, this should be a less severe
offense than underage alcohol consumption, but that's not how they're
treating it.   Because not very many people smoke pot here, it
becomes a bigger deal."

The University's drug policy divided students like Watson, who see
problems with how Notre Dame weighs marijuana and alcohol offenses,
and other students, who say there are definite distinctions to be made.

"The University policy is fair because marijuana is illegal," freshman
Erin Jelm said.

Freshman Isaac Song also said marijuana use should be punished
severely because of its illegality.

"Who cares when this happened or where it happened, because
marijuana's illegal," he said.

Others, like freshman Gina Camarata, said they were unaware of the
specifics of the University's drug policy - a reaction that may
support Watson's statement about relatively low levels of marijuana
use at Notre Dame.

"I've never looked up how much trouble I can get in for something I
wouldn't do," she said.

In a climate in which universities across the country have been
accused of giving their student-athletes special treatment in
incidents similar to the one involving McAlarney, most students
interviewed believe the point guard was treated the same as any
student would have been.

Freshman Mike Sayles, who said he knew students involved in a similar
situation last semester, believed the punishment was at least on par
with expectations.

"There should be a consistent punishment for anyone caught with
marijuana, and that's what this is. If you suspend non-athletes for a
semester and don't suspend McAlarney, that would be inconsistent," he
said.

Regardless of their stance on the University's decision, students said
they were disappointed.

"I'm disappointed in the school. Getting caught with a half of a joint
shouldn't get you suspended for two semesters," junior Jake O'Neil
said.

Jelm said she was "disappointed in the whole situation,
really."

"It mars the reputation of the basketball team and of the University,"
she said. "Kids look up to these athletes and then they find out stuff
like this and it's just sad."

For Schroeder, the decision is something to think about the rest of
the season.

"It's just sad that this is going to take away from the team's
success," she said.

McAlarney may not have received special treatment in his punishment,
sophomore Colin Fath said, but the guard has received special
treatment during his tenure at the University and took it for granted.

"They set everything up to his advantage and he did something stupid
and blew it," Fath said.
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MAP posted-by: Derek