Double punishment

By CHRISTOPHER J. ORTIZ
The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Colorado State University

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.