Student Association Senate
April 17, 2001

HEA Reform Referendum

Sponsored by:
Rice Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (RiceSSDP)
Rice Amnesty International
Rice Students for Global Justice (RSGJ)
Jesse Dickerman, Will Rice College President

WHEREAS A provision in the Higher Education Act of 1998 mandates that students convicted of any drug-related offense (without regard to the nature of the offense or the offender) be denied eligibility for federal financial aid for periods ranging from one year to "indefinite," and;

WHEREAS No other class of offender (including those convicted of rape or other violent offenses) faces similar restriction on student loan eligibility, and;

WHEREAS This provision will, by its nature, impact primarily students of low to moderate economic means, and;

WHEREAS This provision will also have a discriminatory impact on people of color, as their communities are disproportionately targeted for enforcement of the drug laws (e.g. African Americans, who comprise 12% of the nation's population and 13% of drug users, make up 55% of those convicted of drug offenses), and;

WHEREAS Education is an important factor in allowing people to become more productive, well-rounded citizens;

WE, THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF RICE UNIVERSITY, call upon the 107th United States Congress to overturn that section of the Higher Education Act of 1998 that denies access to federal financial aid based upon convictions for drug-related offenses.

Jamie Lisagor, Student Association Co-President
Gavin Parks, Student Association Co-President

Tuesday, 13-Nov-2001 00:50:42 CST