Activist's past bars her from U. Senate
Carrie Wells
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: News
One of the University Senate's most outspoken student members, Stacia Cosner, lambasted university officials late last week after they said a nearly two-year-old drug violation prohibits her from running for reelection.
Students who have academic or judicial violations are not allowed to run for the senate, according to the senate's plan of organization. But Cosner, who doubles as president of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, was allowed to run last year despite the judicial violation on her record.
During her time in office, Cosner, a junior communication major, worked to alter the university's perspective on drug use and students who use drugs recreationally.
She unsuccessfully lobbied for a Good Samaritan policy, which would allow students to seek help for dangerously intoxicated friends without fearing punishment for underage drinking or drug use. She also advocated for less severe punishments for drug possession in dorms.
Cosner has been on disciplinary probation since spring 2006, when she was caught with less than half a gram of marijuana, she said.
Senate and Office of Student Conduct officials called last year's oversight a mistake and said they were following procedure in removing Cosner's name from the ballot on Thursday. Voting begins today and will continue all week.
Cosner, however, said she sees the action differently.
"I am not going to let them strong-arm me out of there," she said. "I'm obviously qualified and eligible to run because nothing has changed."
Bill Montgomery, the senate chair, said that another student was also not allowed to run, but officials declined to provide the student's name or the reaon he or she was being barred.
John Zacker, director of the Office of Student Conduct, could not say why his office failed to review those records last year and declined to give details on the cases. The Office of Student Conduct is charged with reviewing the records of students applying to become senators and sending the results to the senate, which then notifies the students if they are ineligible.
Students who have academic or judicial violations are not allowed to run for the senate, according to the senate's plan of organization. But Cosner, who doubles as president of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, was allowed to run last year despite the judicial violation on her record.
During her time in office, Cosner, a junior communication major, worked to alter the university's perspective on drug use and students who use drugs recreationally.
She unsuccessfully lobbied for a Good Samaritan policy, which would allow students to seek help for dangerously intoxicated friends without fearing punishment for underage drinking or drug use. She also advocated for less severe punishments for drug possession in dorms.
Cosner has been on disciplinary probation since spring 2006, when she was caught with less than half a gram of marijuana, she said.
Senate and Office of Student Conduct officials called last year's oversight a mistake and said they were following procedure in removing Cosner's name from the ballot on Thursday. Voting begins today and will continue all week.
Cosner, however, said she sees the action differently.
"I am not going to let them strong-arm me out of there," she said. "I'm obviously qualified and eligible to run because nothing has changed."
Bill Montgomery, the senate chair, said that another student was also not allowed to run, but officials declined to provide the student's name or the reaon he or she was being barred.
John Zacker, director of the Office of Student Conduct, could not say why his office failed to review those records last year and declined to give details on the cases. The Office of Student Conduct is charged with reviewing the records of students applying to become senators and sending the results to the senate, which then notifies the students if they are ineligible.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
S.K.
posted 3/10/08 @ 7:33 AM EST
'"I don't have a recollection of who did that or who conducted it," Zacker said of last year's reviews. "I don't have an answer."'
Zacker strikes again. (Continued…)
C.B.
posted 3/10/08 @ 7:39 AM EST
This is absurd.
Zacker = twit
posted 3/10/08 @ 7:44 AM EST
Wow, just like so many in the university administration, Zacker proves to be a clueless twit. Hey Zacker, just admit that no one bothered to check last year. (Continued…)
hh
posted 3/10/08 @ 8:17 AM EST
She broke the rules. There are consquences. This just happens to be one of them. DEAL WITH IT COSNER. next time try not breaking any laws, that might help your case. (Continued…)
Presiding Officer
posted 3/10/08 @ 9:09 AM EST
Stacia, the president of SSDP, was caught with less than a gram of weed.
Lets debunk the myths. She is president of a group which wishes to make weed usage and possession legal. (Continued…)
Herb
posted 3/10/08 @ 9:25 AM EST
Re: Lets debunk the myths. She is president of a group which wishes to make weed usage and possession legal.
That is not a myth. It is the truth.
Good for her!
Prohibition is a harmful social policy. (Continued…)
Bob Miller
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:05 PM EST
You represent drug users and got caught with drugs? HAHAHAHAHA...that's too funny! And NOW you are upset that you can't represent students? Give me a break. (Continued…)
Rebecca Ogle
posted 3/10/08 @ 1:40 PM EST
Yeah, I'm the secretary of UMD SSDP. I would gladly pee in a cup for you weekly to prove that I do not use drugs if I didn't think it completely unnecessary and besides the point, not to mention morally questionable. (Continued…)
McNulty
posted 3/10/08 @ 5:37 PM EST
Two issues here-
First, if the Senate had done their job last go round, we wouldn't be here, but, alas...we are. Rules are rules, laws are laws, and the way to go about changing them are clear. (Continued…)
Heather
posted 3/11/08 @ 12:31 AM EST
Many of you write so eloquently (while others, not so much), and I fear that I may not be able to do the same. So please bear with my while I attempt to express my thoughts as best as I am able. (Continued…)
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