UNIVERSITY OF RHODE
ISLAND
FACULTY
SENATE
RESOLUTION
#02-03--4
On May 8, 2003, the Faculty Senate of the
University of Rhode Island joined the URI Student Senate in support
of H.R. 685 and adopted the following resolution:
Whereas, a provision in the
Higher Education Act of 1998 mandates that students or prospective
students convicted of any drug-related offence be denied eligibility
for federal financial aid for a period ranging from One Year to a
Lifetime, and
Whereas, this provision of the Higher Education Act 1998 has a
discriminatory impact on a number of demographics including people of
color and students of low to moderate economic means, and
Whereas, it has been shown that education is an important
factor in rehabilitating persons convicted of a crime and allowing
such people to become productive, well-rounded citizens, therefore be
it
Resolved, that the URI Faculty Senate supports H.R. 685, which
will repeal the applicable portions of the Higher Education Act of
1998, and be it further
Resolved, that the URI Faculty Senate urges Rep. Patrick
Kennedy, Rep. James Langevin, Rhode Island Board of Governors for
Higher Education, to express public support of H. R. 685.
This resolution will be forwarded to R.I.
Congressional Representatives Patrick Kennedy and James
Langevin.