Pubdate: Fri, 01 Feb 2008
Source: Diamondback, The (U of MD Edu)
Copyright: 2008 Diamondback
Contact:  http://www.diamondbackonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/758
Author: Carrie Wells

RESIDENT LIFE CONSIDERING PUNISHMENT POLICY REVISION

Students caught breaking dorm rules could be punished less harshly 
starting late next year as Resident Life officials say they intend to 
restructure the dorm violation policy.

A barrage of student complaints in recent years has led department 
officials to abandon the two-tiered system of punishment, which was 
created in 1980 and penalizes marijuana smokers the same way it does 
violent offenders. Instead, the new policy will evaluate and sanction 
students on a more case-by-case basis,according to officials, and 
will give the Resident Judicial Board more flexibility in deciding punishments.

"I want our staff deciding sanctions on a case-by-case basis and not 
a class-by-class basis," said Associate Director of Resident Life 
Steve Petkas, who is responsible for redrafting the policy. "I want 
to get away from 'A' and 'B.' It might, in time, mean more 
flexibility in regard to drugs, but I'm not going to speculate."

The existing policy separates infractions into A- and B-level 
categories that assign different punishments to student offenders. 
The A-level category contains more serious violations such as arson 
and violent crimes, and rule-breakers are usually expelled from 
housing. In contrast, B-level violations are less severe and usually 
result in housing probation.

Petkas said the policy will probably be introduced to the student 
body in the fall of 2009. Regardless of the new policy's lack of 
categories, however, students should understand that infractions will 
still carry repercussions, he added.

While it is uncertain how the new policy would impact punishments, 
Resident Life officials and student leaders agree that the old policy 
was sometimes impractical.

"We are open and willing to look at our rules and regulations," 
Resident Life Director Deb Grandner said. "It's really important to 
look at pros and cons. The intent would be that it's not confusing."

Resident Life officials began looking at redoing the violation system 
in 2004, but put it on hold when more pressing issues arose, such as 
the recent housing shortage affecting on-campus juniors and seniors. 
Petkas acknowledged that student leaders were instrumental in 
pressuring the department to reevaluate its policy.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy President Stacia Cosner, who has 
lobbied the department to be more lenient in punishing marijuana 
violators, is cautiously hopeful about how the new policy will turn out.

"I have heard from a lot of students that the person they met with 
would not have given them the harsh penalty if they had not been 
required to," Cosner said. "Their hands were tied."

Residence Hall Association President Sumner Handy was also hopeful 
that the new policy would make the punishments better fit the crime.

"In principle, it seems like the right way to do it because it allows 
for proportional punishment," he said. "It's a step in the right direction."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart