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Four resident male athletes were caught in violation of the college drug policy on Feb. 1. One of those involved was charged with a felony for possession with intent to distribute. Security, Residence Life and the Virginia Beach Police Department were involved in regulating the situation.
“We were there to ensure that whatever was recovered was properly secured and documented,” said Leo Therrien, director of security. “We secure whatever items are recovered and keep them in safekeeping for whatever administrative action will be taken.” While there have been a number of drug violations on campus since the beginning of the academic year, Keith Moore, director of Residence Life, does not see this increase as unique to Wesleyan’s campus.
“My opinion is that marijuana use is on the rise in high schools and colleges,” said Moore. “What we may see here is reflective of what is going on with the general population and with other colleges and universities.” Records from last year show most of the drug policy violations were committed by male athletes, most of whom were first-year students, whereas seniors accounted for less than 3 percent of such infringements. In the fall of 2002, the majority of violators was still male, although the percentage of athletes had decreased.
As stated in the section on Consequences and Sanctions Regarding Illicit and Unlawful Drugs in the Virginia Wesleyan College Student Handbook, “The possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs is strictly prohibited on the property owned or leased by the college or at any college activity. Any student found possessing, using, or distributing illicit and/or unlawful drugs is subject to immediate disciplinary or administrative action. Ordinarily, a student found in violation of the college drug policy can expect to receive the sanction of suspension or dismissal from the college.”
Both Residence Life and Security seem to believe that the policies are effective in theory and in execution. “Our college does a number of things for students, giving them a chance to learn from their experiences, even the negative experiences,” said Moore. “We want to help them become good members of the community. If one is a detriment to himself or to others, that’s when we consider the need for them to be around.”
“I feel that with the combination of Residence Life and Security, we manage to handle most incidents,” Therrien said. “Although most incidents are minor in nature, there’s always room for excessive abuse by some. Security’s concern is how it affects the community.” Those who violate the college drug policy generally go before the Community Arbitration Board (CAB) for one of two reasons: either it is a severe incident that may result in suspension, or the offender is someone who is already on sanction in as far as disciplinary status within the school.
Thereafter, offenders may face suspension -- a formal separation for a period of time, at the end of which reapplication is allowed or dismissal, in which the student has no right to reapply. “I believe all proceedings involving the Community Arbitration Board are exceedingly fair,” Therrien said.
Moore went on to emphasize the importance that is placed upon the students being aware of the process. “We almost have a template for how we do things,” he said. “Once a situation occurs, it’s like a machine -- it’s important that [students] are not unaware of what’s going on. “I wish that people would make the right choices. This is a great place to be. Their education is one of, if not the most important thing in their life right now, and they shouldn’t jeopardize it. It’s not worth it.”
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| Photo by BLADEN FINCH
The American Space Shuttle Columbia was lost during its attempt at re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere on Feb. 1. Five American astronauts -- Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, David Brown and Laurel Clark -- as well as Kaplana Chawla of India and Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut, were lost in the disaster. |
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“It is a terrible thing that has happened to this country. It seems that once we get over one tragedy, something else happens. I am deeply saddened by this event and I pray for their families and our country.” -Debbie Jeys, senior |
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“I can offer no greater tribute to fallen heroes than to quote President Reagan after the Challenger disaster: ‘We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved good-bye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God.’” -Joe Calandra, Jr., junior |
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“After Sept. 11th, I think with all of the shock from that, it’s almost like bad things aren’t as surprising anymore.” -Tracy Cedeno, junior |
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“It’s very sad, and it’s upsetting that it could happen now with all of our technology.” -Jakki Trappler, freshman |
What are possible consequences of having one bad academic semester? There are at least 94 Virginia Wesleyan College students who could answer that question. Of these 94 students, 69 were placed on automatic academic probation while the other 25 students’ records were reviewed by the academic standing committee. “Our main purpose, as a committee, is to see students succeed and graduate,” said Barbara Adams, instructor of operations management as well as the chairperson of the academic standing committee.
In late December, 25 students received letters informing them that their academic records were going to be reviewed by the academic standing committee. The letter went on to say that due to unsatisfactory academic progress, the students in question would either receive academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from the college. The committee, which met on Jan. 7, is made up of three administrators, three faculty members, three students and one other administrator who sits in and gives input but does not get a final vote. The three faculty members who are a part of the committee change every fall and the three students change every spring, all serving one-year terms. The committee reviews the records, discusses the individual case and then votes on what the consequences of that case will be.
Of the 25 individual cases reviewed, 20 were given academic probation and five were suspended for two semesters. The five students who were suspended were given until Jan. 19 to move all of their possessions out of residence halls. Suspension means that the student cannot return to the college for two academic semester.
“Suspension is not considered punitive at all,” said Adams. “It is used to help students get on track.” The committee understands that there are other things going on in the students’ lives that can keep them from achieving their academic potential and that sometimes those issues must be dealt with in order for those students to eventually succeed.
For the 89 students on campus who are on academic probation, there are certain guidelines that they must follow, including the requirement that they make contact with a faculty member in the Learning Resource Center in order to evaluate their plans for academic success during the following semester. “Students who receive automatic academic probation are doing well enough not to be suspended,” said Mansfield.
Freshmen are exempt from this process. A first-semester freshman can fail every class and still get to return for the next semester. The freshmen whose grades weren’t what they should have been received a letter from the LRC, giving the center hours and schedules. It also served as a warning that although these students’ records had not yet been reviewed, they would be at the end of the next semester. “My advice to students, to keep them out of this situation, is to start getting help early, go to class and to make use of all of their resources,” said Adams.
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