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. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake