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A petition signed by almost 1,300 students may change university Residence Hall policies on marijuana.
The
National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws submitted a petition to
the Purdue Student Government Tuesday. Sara Wislocki, president of
Purdue’s NORML, said by submitting the petition, the organization hopes
to change the marijuana policy in the University Residence Halls.
Purdue
has a “zero tolerance” policy for students who get caught with
marijuana. Students can get caught with alcohol up to three times until
they receive consequences. Wislocki said the proposition, known as the
SAFER Referendum, hopes to equalize the consequences of both policies.
“With alcohol, it always depends on the scenario,” she said. “With
marijuana, someone can get kicked out for having paraphernalia or a
small amount. Even if a roommate gets caught with marijuana, a student
can get kicked out. We believe that this is a harsh punishment for
something that we consider safer than alcohol.”Bob Heitert,
director of administration for University Residence Halls, said the
zero tolerance policy has been in place for almost 10 years. Students
caught with marijuana receive a harsher punishment because unlike
alcohol, it is an illegal substance. “Illegal drugs are against
the law for everyone while alcohol is against the law for a larger
portion of students but not for everyone,” he said. “Society seems to
take a different approach to alcohol than they do to illegal drugs. We
reflect that societal difference.” Before students can vote on
the SAFER Referendum, the Office of the Dean of Students has to approve
it. Eric Barnard, Purdue student body president, said the Student
Government is looking over the petition. “We’re just the
in-between person,” he said. “We accept it, then submit it to The Dean
of Students Office. We’re not in any type of approval position; we’re
just doing due diligence as the middle person.” If the Office of
the Dean of Students approves the petition, students will see the
proposition on the ballot. Mason Tvert, executive director of SAFER,
said universities like Ohio State and Colorado State have already
passed similar referendums. Students can vote on the referendum
from March 31 until April 2 on myPurdue if they want to see changes to
the Residence Hall policies. Once students voice their opinions, Tvert
hopes the University will make amendments to the rules. “It
starts by demonstrating students’ opinion on this subject,” he said.
“Once that it is done, it is up to the University to be responsible
enough to work with the students toward a safer more rational policy.” University
Residence Hall administrators are willing to hear student opinions, but
Heitert said there is no obligation to make a change. “We make
our decisions based on what is good for the living environment,” he
said. “When we look at it we take into consideration if it makes sense
to make a change or if it would better serve students to leave the
approach they way it is.” |
