Double punishment
If you want to see a model example of government cooperation, I
wouldn”t suggest the FBI or the CIA; rather, take a look at how the
city of Fort Collins and CSU share information.
Students possibly face double disciplinary actions, from the
university and from the city of Fort Collins, for crimes they may
commit, e.g. noise violations or drug possession.
Under the Student Rights and Responsibilities policy, under
Students” Responsibilities, the policy reads:
The following actions are prohibited:
’11. Violation of any federal or state law or local ordinance
including but not limited to those covering alcoholic beverages,
narcotics and illegal drugs, gambling, arson, sex offenses,
assaults, harassment, violation of civil rights, disorderly
conduct, or lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression.’
The section also preaches to students that as members of the
university community, students have an obligation to the community
and to the preservation of the academic process. As citizens,
students have the responsibility to know and obey the laws of the
United States, Colorado and local governments.
Hidden in this mumbo jumbo is, in my opinion, a direct violation
of students” civil rights as private citizens.
If you take the time to read the Student Rights and
Responsibilities, there is a clause titled: Students Participating
in Activities Off Campus. It reads:
‘Students participating in activities off campus are expected to
adhere to the high standards as defined by the University
Discipline Policy. As citizens of the local community, the State of
Colorado, and the United States, it is expected that the laws will
be obeyed and that each student will be a productive and good
citizen within the greater community.
‘If students are charged with serious crimes for incidents which
take place off campus, the Director of Judicial Affairs may choose
to initiate University disciplinary proceedings against them. Of
particular concern are those charges that indicate the student may
be a danger to himself/herself or others. Examples of these charges
include violence, drug selling, sexual assault, major theft,
etc.
‘In general, students who engage in behavior off campus that
could damage the reputation of Colorado State University or the
institutions relationship with the greater community may be subject
to disciplinary action.’
I understand that as students become a bigger population in Fort
Collins, there is a concern from Fort Collins residents about
disorderly conduct from students, but why are students the only
scapegoats?
I, like many other students, live here year-round. I pay taxes
here, I spend money here and I vote here; I should be treated like
any other resident when I break the law.
Students are not the only demographic who commit crimes and
almost every student is a legal adult, so why is the city playing
tattletale?
I understand that the university wants to maintain a certain
reputation and relationship with the city, but that doesn”t justify
the power they have to punish a student for a crime he/she
committed as a private citizen off campus.
Students should be outraged that they can be punished twice for
crimes they commit.
Another example of how students are treated unfairly in this
state is the riot bill signed by Gov. Bill Owens in 2002 that
states students in all state-supported institutions convicted of
inciting a riot would be suspended from the institution for at
least one full year.
Students become private citizens when they step off campus
unless they are participating in university-sponsored functions.
What a student does in his or her time off university property is
of no concern of CSU.
When a student is reported to the university from the city, he
or she goes in front of the University Discipline Panel which is
comprised of faculty members and students.
And when the panel meets to discuss the crime you committed, the
administrative hearing is closed at all times. At least the city
adheres to the Sixth Amendment when it comes to convicting
someone.
Students are being treated unjustly and unfairly on the sole
argument that they decided to attend a state-funded institution.
And that is because students have next to no representation at city
council or at the state capitol. Elected city and school officials
can push these kinds of legislations over students because students
do not care enough or are not organized. Pay attention and speak
against these gross infringements of civil rights.
If the university wants to uphold a certain image, then it
should work with the city to have all unlawful actions by a student
be taken up by the university or it should simply stay out of our
personal business.
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