Resolution 24

A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SANCTUARY FOR STUDENTS INVOLVED WITH ILLEGAL DRUGS

Short Title: Medical Sanctuary for Students Involved with Illegal Drugs

Sponsors: Senator Cockrell

Signatories:

Referred to: University Affairs        

Version: Initial

First Reading: April 25, 2012                        Second Reading:

WHEREAS, the University of North Carolina system’s Illegal Drugs policy exists for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of the community; and,

WHEREAS, under the current Illegal Drugs policies of both the North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina system, students who seek medical attention for issues pertaining to illegal drug use are penalized equally as students who are caught; and,

WHEREAS, in the Spring semester of 2012, a student called campus police of his own accord to report a situation involving illegal drugs in order to seek medical attention and was subsequently recommended for permanent expulsion by the Office of Student Conduct; and,

WHEREAS, this expulsion is required by the university’s mandatory minimum penalty policy; and,

WHEREAS, POL 04.20.05 section 3.1 states that “students... are responsible, as citizens, for knowing about and complying with the provisions of North Carolina law that make it a crime to possess, sell, deliver, or manufacture those drugs designated collectively as "controlled substances" in Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes. The University will initiate its own disciplinary proceeding against a student, faculty member, administrator, or other employee when the offense is deemed to affect the interests of the University”; and,

WHEREAS, POL 04.20.05 section 3.2.2 states that “the minimum penalty shall be suspension from enrollment”; and,

WHEREAS, Sgt. Jeff Sutton of Campus Police said that "Well, aside from not doing LSD in the first place, [this student] made the right decision to call someone. LSD is something you could definitely need medical treatment for. Everyone's reaction is different"; and,

WHEREAS, the University of North Carolina system has recently removed mandatory minimum penalties from its Illegal Drugs policy, presenting a timely opportunity for North Carolina State University to also revise its own Illegal Drugs policy; now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, that the Student Senate recommends that Lisa Zapata, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, seek to revise the existing Illegal Drugs policy to include a sanctuary provision for students who come forward of their own accord to report a situation involving illegal drugs so that students may freely seek medical services; and be it further,

RESOLVED, that this bill shall become effective upon enrollment.