friday, nov. 10, 1989
cabrini_college,radnor, pa 19087
vol. xxxvi, no. 8
Drug punishment:too lightor just right by Angie Corbo There was a buzz in the air last spring as the words "Code of Conduct" were muttered around the cav1pus by the student leaders. Robert Bonfiglio, dean of students, proposed that common norms was established on the campus. The intent was to have one document that students could refer to, Jive by and feel protected by. After inquiries were made to other
colleges Bonfiglio introduced the idea of implementing a code of conduct on Cabrini's campus. He asked for the assistance from his department, the student government association, and several other student representatives. Together, they discussed the issues that they felt most affected the campus community. The final draft was sent to the homes of all Cabrini students in
August. Resident assistants discussed the policy with their residents in September. The norms by which students were to live by were set on the stage. September and early October ran relatively smooth. Resident life reportedly had fewer infractions across the board. Now that Woodcrest has became a dry dorm, very little alcohol was seen in the building. John Doyle,
Activitiesdirector faces criticism said. "When it was elsewhere, she slacked off on SGA and Social ActiviSeveral incidents over the last two se- ties and perfonnedincompetently.'' mesters have provoked criticism of the Zazycyny recalls one incident durstudent activities director's capability, ing Spring Fling Sibling weekend rewhile at the same time other students garding the performance of the reggae praise her handling of the job. Rita band,Dr.Cheeko. Advertising had been Caticat, 1983 graduate of the college posted showing the date of the show and director of student activities since would be held on a Friday night. Cali1986, is responsible for a wide range of cat, however, informed them only days duties. beforethe weekendthatthe bandwas in Calicat provides administrative sup- fact scheduled for Saturday not Friday. and activi- SGA then had to "adapt to =· her ___ misPort and training for clubs ~-"""=...,,.,,_;;,.y:-~~!iiilil ,. ,,.,_.___.~ ., -· ,., ties. Sbt1eH"allllil'd ~'W..... ~·~--UD&l!5 ~ ., , -.,• for Student Government Association, Caticat responded, .. SGA had been the Social Activities Board, Kappa given a copy of the contract. It was Sigma Omega, and Black Student publicized for the wrong night based Alliance. Calicat's extended responsi- on assumption. It was certainly an overbilities include facility reservations, cal- sight on both our parts.•' endar planning, leadership orientation, "Calicat has a lot of energy and ensupervision of the development of the thusiasm. •' Zazyczny said. '• She wants pub\game room, and raising cultural things to happen." He feels a bad awareness through programming. attitude has developed among the stu, 'A lot of the things I do don't fall dents regarding her performance beinto a specific category,•• Calicat said. cause her priorities aren't of concern to For example, Calicat often works in the majority of students on campus. conjunction with other interest groups "I give to Cabrini a 110 percent," on campus outside of clubs, such as Calicatsaid, "evenifitmaybeindifferResident Life where she assists in pro- ent areas.'' gramming. In contrast to such criticism, Kelly Dean of Students, Robert Bonfiglio, McGillan, Kappa Sigma Omega presiCalicat' s direct supervisor, said, "Rita dent, said that Calicat's performance has a significant work load.'• Bonfiglio has been more than adequate. ''Parents further suggested that it was up to Calicat Weekend would not have been the suein her position to ensure that these areas cess it was without her. She was fantasget the support they need. tic." Some students and administration who "I made it a point to stop by and see have associated with her and to develop a friendship.'' Caticat in different capacities feel that McGillan said. '' I trust our working they have not received this needed sup- relationship.•· port from the student activities director This semester, one ofCalicat's goals and have been treated unfairly. is to try and work one on one to repair Last year's SGA president, Joel bonds that were strained. "Last semesZazycyny, feels that Calicat may be too ter was very difficult for me,'' Calicat involved and therefore alienates certain said. "Ties were stretched between groups. specific needs and the need to help the "Rita performed competently when her focus was on SGA, •' Zazycyny more Responsibilitieson 11
by Sharlene Sephton
director of resident life, said that his staff members were more conscious of documenting incidents through written reports. This has promoted a greater sense of clarity and open communication within the department. Overall, Doyle has been pleased with his staff thus far this year. Resident ,_..life was prepared to
handle the recent drug violation. However the resident life staffs handling of the recent marijuana incident has raised questioning among members of the student body. Some said that they like the open discretion that is used for individual case, yet they were leery of the openess that the resident life department could use. Students, however, voiced a concern that the range of punishments were so broad that more or less of a sanction could be issued to a student depending on their rapport with the administration. After the drug incident, Bonfiglio said,' 'the manner in which the incident unfolded was a testimony to the effectiveness of the resident life staff and the code of conduct." Bonfiglio said that the code of conduct outlines the norms for behavior and provides examples of things that are inconsistent with the norms. In the case where four women were charged with possession of marijuana, they violated the college's code under the pretense that they infringed upon the preservation of the environmental well being of themselves and others. The.druJ~\ic_y{\lr,b.~ ~ the code by addressmg the drug
offense in a more specific manner. Some students voiced the opinion that the sanction was too light for the women who committed a federal offense. They felt that the women were able to receive a "light" sanction because Cabrini• s policies were obscure in stating the ramifications for the infraction. Bonfiglio said that all policies that the college has in the handbook are designed in a general sense in order to preserve the rights of students and to meet their needs in all individual cases. He said that it would be contradictory to implement a plan that was not designed to hear the individual rights of the students. Thus, Bonfiglio is comfortable with the manner in which the college respo~ded to the drug inci-_ dent of three weeks ago. Assessing the situation, he felt the sanction was issued in a way that considered the best interest of women involved. The women were disciplined for their violation of college policy, yet they were encouraged to use this situation as a learning experience. according to Bonfiglio. '·Based on what we know, the ~\AAUon w handled effectivel.y~~·and educationally.'' Bonfiglio said
Cabrini'srule is one of the toughestin the area By Angie Corbo Although by law they are considered illegal substances, drugs are not foreign substances on college campuses. Much like Cabrini, most of the universities and colleges in the Philadelphia area have some type of policy that states how the institution will handle any type of situation involving or related to drugs. Each institution reacts differently with sanctioning procedures in c,)rugrelated cases. Size and location are among other significant factors that influence the college's or university's standing on the type of necessary disciplinary measures to issue when a drug violation occurs. Cabrini College The drug policy as stated in the student handbook, page 66, reads, "the possession, sale, or use of illegal drugs as prescribed by commonwealth law, and the unauthorized sale of prescription and over the counter drugs are in violation of the college policy. Similiarly. the manufacture of drugs, and the possession or use of drug paraphernalia, are also violations of college policy.''
It is stated that the sanctions range from probation to suspension. No mention of fines is listed with the policy. An educational empahsis is placed on each incident. LaSalle University ''Those willing to seek treatment on their free will will be granted more of a lenient sanction," said Nancy Brewer, assistant vice president for student affairs. There are four basic sanctions that may be issued for a drug violation: conduct warning, probation, suspension, or dismissal. Each sanction permits additional "conditions" to be issued to the violators. Conditions are made at the discretion of the college. They may involve programming, restitution, or getting a psychological assessment. They are less punitive with marijuana than crack, cocaine or acid. However, the sale of any type of drug on campus is grounds for immediate dismissal. At this university, having the smell of marijuana lingering on clothing merits a sanction, if two members of the resident life
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