Pubdate: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 Source: Pierce Arrow (Franklin Pierce U, NH Edu) Contact: http://www.piercemediagrouponline.com/home/lettertotheeditor/ Copyright: 2007 Pierce Arrow Website: http://www.piercemediagrouponline.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4620 Author: Robbie Michaelson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?219 (Students for Sensible Drug Policy) SGA RESPONDS TO OCTOBER 2ND'S EVENTS SGA and SSDP Create Resolution Responding to the Maintenance Checks The Student Government Association (SGA) is working on passing a resolution denouncing actions taken against students during the maintenance inspection that occurred on October 2, 2007. The resolution, which came from the Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), starts by stating, "It is a vital role of the university and the state of New Hampshire to uphold constitutional principles that ensure privacy and due process to all American citizens." It then describes the Trailer Four incident and the issues surrounding the incident. These issues include the belief that Rindge Police "threatened" the administration and the "unannounced" searches. The resolution then goes on to state that the SGA "denounces the Rindge Police Department's attempt to 'coerce' university officials into assisting them with arresting students for nonviolent drug offenses." The statement also encourages the administration to take legal action against Rindge Police and to put more thought into dealing with nonviolent offenses. The Senate Policy Committee is the group that is working on passing the resolution. Junior Jaclyn Alessio is Vice President which automatically makes her chief of the committee. Her committee received the resolution from the SSDP, made corrections to it, then passed it with a 6-9 vote. Even though it is passed through the body with a 33-4 vote, it is still waiting for the presidential ok to be official. The discussion of the presidential signing of the resolution will take place this week. As it stands, the present copy is the final copy. Although Alessio didn't want to share her opinion of the resolution, she did want to assure the students that they are looking out for their best interests. She believes that the SGA is the voice of the students and should represent the needs of students. Alessio also stressed that her committee doesn't make the changes. "Our job isn't to save the school, we hand it to the right division." said Alessio. If officially passed, the resolution will be sent to Rindge Police Department, President Hagerty, Provost Bell, and the Franklin Pierce University Departments of Residential Life and Judicial Affairs. Anybody can make a resolution on our campus if they have an issue they want addressed. One way for the SGA to know about the issues on campus is Voice Your Opinion Day. This event, organized by the policy committee, is to spread awareness of the issues that are affecting our school's students. In the past these issues have included drinking, undercover cops, and the e-mail policy. For further information you can contact any member of the SGA or attend their meetings that occur Wednesdays at 6:30 in Marcucella 102. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake