2008 Woodie Awards
Telfer puts off-campus alcohol sanction vote on hold
Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 11/20/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer did not pass the legislation proposed by Whitewater Student Government that would have forced UW-Whitewater to refrain from penalizing students who distribute alcohol.
Telfer did not veto the legislation either; instead he is sending the issue to the UW System level as they set the policy.
The legislation was proposed by Academic Affairs Director Justin O'Rourke, passed by WSG and signed by President Nick Santilli.
Santilli and O'Rourke met with Telfer Wednesday to discuss the legislation and the issues surrounding it.
"Fundamentally, I respect that WSG felt strongly about this issue to bring it forward, and what I'm going to do is see if we can get more voices in this conversation," Telfer said. "Once we have some reaction then I'll have a conversation with [Santilli and O'Rourke] again."
A review committee for UW System Chapters 17 and 18 has already been researching the policy.
Telfer said he isn't sure if he agrees with the legislation, but he does believe valid questions about the policy were raised. He said his intent is to gain input and recommendation from the state level.
The purpose of the legislation was to change the interpretation of Chapter 17, Section 3, used to penalize students who sell or distribute alcohol to underage students.
The policy currently states universities reserve the right to penalize students if they cause a serious danger to a university guest or community member. O'Rourke argued the policy is vague and does not include anything about alcohol and therefore may be punishing students on false authority.
O'Rourke thought administration could be concerned with the community's response to the legislation. He and Santilli are now in the process of changing the legislation to state that students who sell and distribute alcohol or facilitate gatherings with alcohol can be penalized by the university. However, the punishment would consist of community service and the university could no longer expel or suspend students for alcohol-related offenses.
"It doesn't help the community to expel or suspend a student from [the university]," O'Rourke said. "In fact, it could create further disruptions in the community if [the student] is not focused on school … [this change] benefits the community through service and benefits students with an alternate sanction."
Santilli said WSG understands there is guilt by association and does not support any illegal activity. He also said anything is possible with this legislation and what will come of it.
"We do not want anyone abandoning students when they make a few poor decisions… helping students understand their actions and become better citizens is the goal, not putting them behind in life."
Telfer did not veto the legislation either; instead he is sending the issue to the UW System level as they set the policy.
The legislation was proposed by Academic Affairs Director Justin O'Rourke, passed by WSG and signed by President Nick Santilli.
Santilli and O'Rourke met with Telfer Wednesday to discuss the legislation and the issues surrounding it.
"Fundamentally, I respect that WSG felt strongly about this issue to bring it forward, and what I'm going to do is see if we can get more voices in this conversation," Telfer said. "Once we have some reaction then I'll have a conversation with [Santilli and O'Rourke] again."
A review committee for UW System Chapters 17 and 18 has already been researching the policy.
Telfer said he isn't sure if he agrees with the legislation, but he does believe valid questions about the policy were raised. He said his intent is to gain input and recommendation from the state level.
The purpose of the legislation was to change the interpretation of Chapter 17, Section 3, used to penalize students who sell or distribute alcohol to underage students.
The policy currently states universities reserve the right to penalize students if they cause a serious danger to a university guest or community member. O'Rourke argued the policy is vague and does not include anything about alcohol and therefore may be punishing students on false authority.
O'Rourke thought administration could be concerned with the community's response to the legislation. He and Santilli are now in the process of changing the legislation to state that students who sell and distribute alcohol or facilitate gatherings with alcohol can be penalized by the university. However, the punishment would consist of community service and the university could no longer expel or suspend students for alcohol-related offenses.
"It doesn't help the community to expel or suspend a student from [the university]," O'Rourke said. "In fact, it could create further disruptions in the community if [the student] is not focused on school … [this change] benefits the community through service and benefits students with an alternate sanction."
Santilli said WSG understands there is guilt by association and does not support any illegal activity. He also said anything is possible with this legislation and what will come of it.
"We do not want anyone abandoning students when they make a few poor decisions… helping students understand their actions and become better citizens is the goal, not putting them behind in life."
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