Author: Haley Gray
The Dean of Students Office enacted an unofficial change in the College’s disciplinary approach to marijuana offenses this semester. Students are now more likely than they have been in the past to be placed on probation if caught in the presence of marijuana. This new practice comes without any change to Occidental’s written Drug and Alcohol policy.
Residential Advisers (RAs) first made the announcement at hall spreads a few weeks ago, saying that the penalties for marijuana offenses will be harsher than in the past. Many students understood the RA announcement to mean automatic probation for marijuana offenses. However, the administration claims that all violations will still be addressed on a case by case basis.
“The range of sanctions still applies: warning, censure, probation, suspension, permanent separation,” Emily Harris, Assistant Dean and Director of Student Advocacy and Accountability, said. However, both Dean Harris and Assistant Director of Residential Education Juls White confirm that the College is more likely to lean toward probation for marijuana-related offenses.
According to Harris, the change in policy resulted from a meeting of a student focus group, who claimed that the smell of marijuana in residence halls had made them sick. The students expressed concerns about difficulties sleeping and studying.
After the new practice was adopted, White and Dean Harris decided that the most effective way to inform students of the change was through RA announcements at hall spreads. However, many students remain confused as to what the policy actually is.
“I thought it was ineffective that the only way they told people was through hallspread, so things only spread through word of mouth,” an anonymous student said.
After getting official briefings on the new sanction guidelines, some RAs told their residents that all students found responsible for marijuana-related offenses will automatically receive disciplinary probation under the new protocols, which is not the policy as stated by the administration.
One e-mail from an RA to his residents read, “As of last week the upper levels of administration finalized the new policy. What has changed is the sanctions for a violation. If you are found responsible for possession or use of marijuana, you are automatically put on probation. A second offense will almost definitely result in suspension.”
Another RA, who wishes to remain anonymous, also understood the new change to mean automatic probation.
This article has been archived, for more requests please contact us via the support system.
