editorial comment Quote: "even though a student may not be the one using the drugs, if the student is in the room or around someone who has drugs, the student would be held responsible as well." And this is supposed to be a school?????

The new zero tolerance policy enacted this year is trying to keep residents and others from using illegal drugs or marketing them in any way.

This policy was put into place by Campus Living in an attempt to keep the campus and its residents and students safe.

Maggie Olszewska, assistant director for the Office of Student Conflict Resolution, said the policy is a much needed one and serves an important purpose.

"The policy states that if anybody uses illegal drugs or even has drugs or drug paraphernalia either on their person or in their room, they will have their contract [with housing] cancelled," said Olszewska.

Olszewska said even though a student may not be the one using the drugs, if the student is in the room or around someone who has drugs, the student would be held responsible as well.

Olszewska said the problem of drugs and substance abuse has always been an issue, but it's one that has been growing over time.

"I think, nationally, there is so much more talk about drugs and how they impact students and living communities," Olszewska said.

The option was always there, but now it's been made a mandate."

Campus Living has taken several actions to inform students of the new policy.

When students moved into the dorms, they were required to sign a piece of paper indicating they are aware of the policy. Posters and fliers have been placed around campus and in residence halls in order to keep people informed. In the recent Halloween memo distributed around the dorms, Housing Services reminded students to comply with all policies around campus.

Olszewska said this year, there have been fewer cases on campus than expected indicating the campaign may be having an effect.

"Housing advertised heavily about the policy. They set up a web page; all the RAs had to announce it during their first hall meetings, so everyone knew about this policy," Olszewska said.

Campus Living has also just released an interactive CD-ROM to all students at ECU entitled "EMPOWERED: illuminating campus safety." The CD is meant to inform people about various safety issues on campus including personal safety, fire safety and the zero tolerance policy.

In addition to various commentaries by students and Garrie Moore, vice chancellor for student life, the CD lists the rules and regulations that residents must follow in order to maintain a safe environment on campus.

Some students do not think the new policy will accomplish anything in regard to catching people who use illegal drugs.

Josh Moore, sophomore undecided major, said that he does not see the reasoning behind it.

"I think it's pointless because people will do what they want to anyway. The more people that do it, the less likely it is any one person will be caught," said Moore.


This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.

back | to top | full article >>