The 10th session of our student government has only
begun and already the Associated Students of Madison is on the
wrong track. The state budget crisis has brought more increases in
tuition, making financial aid all the more important to eligible
students.
Assembly Bill 342 would prohibit state
financial aid from going to students who have been convicted of
“possessing with the intent to manufacture or distribute”
controlled substances for two years following the date of
conviction.
On the second offense, a student would be
ineligible indefinitely, but could regain eligibility simply by
completing a drug rehabilitation program.
The ASM Legislative Affairs Committee, in
opposition to this legislation, has chosen this to be the first
issue they take up this session. The logic behind their opposition
of this bill has thus far escaped us.
The Wisconsin Department of Administration
estimates this would affect approximately 50 students throughout
the entire University of Wisconsin system per year, but would allow
$50,000-$100,000 of aid to be disbursed to other students in
financial need, students who have worked hard, are deserving of
financial aid and carry clean police records.
In a letter drafted to state legislators,
ASM’s Legislative Affairs Committee discusses the 91,204 students
who are being denied financial aid on the federal level by the
Higher Education Act. However, this is merely spin. At stake is a
state law that would not allow people who been convicted of
attempting to sell or manufacture illegal drugs from receiving
hard-earned tax money and instead give that money to hard-working
students who have not been convicted of trying to sell drugs within
the past two years.
Students make mistakes, and it is not our
belief that a student cannot correct their mistakes. When they do,
opportunities should maybe then be afforded to those students to
receive financial aid. But the proof of getting one’s life back on
track lies with the student.
This type of activism by ASM is a reminder of
the ASM from four or five years ago, when student government
focused on Bill Clinton’s foreign policy rather than on issues
relevant to students, such as the lack of campus parking and campus
safety.
Every year the Badger Herald editorial board
hopes that “this year will be different” and ASM will stay focused
on issues that will benefit students while working under the tenet
of fiscal responsibility. Every year we are disappointed and it
appears this year is beginning in much the same fashion.
This session of ASM is still young and we are
hopeful that the members of our student government will leave their
5th floor offices in the Union to enjoy a couple cold
drinks on the Terrace and interact with average students. This
interaction might help them refocus their priorities while working
for those very students — the vast majority of whom have not
been convicted of trying to sell drugs, and many who could use some
additional monetary assistance.
