Student Concerns Over Tripled Fines and State Bill SB 337
While the administration and other leaders at Cal Poly supported the city's desire to quell the Mardi Gras celebration, other members of the student community were angered and concerned over new local ordinances which tripled fines for Municipal Code violations occurring during Mardi Gras. (4) PDF According to the "SLOMardiGras" website created by the city, the San Luis Obispo Police Department and city officials, alcohol-related offenses would be monitored closely, including municipal violations against underage drinking and public nudity. Cal Poly's Student Community Liaison Committee had noted their concerns regarding a smaller "safety zone," which would have tripled fines only in specific areas, namely San Luis Obispo's downtown and at Foothill and California Boulevards. SCLC-Cal Poly publicly endorsed the new safety zone, which comprised San Luis Obispo's entire city limits. (5)
Additionally, in February 2005, state bill SB 337 was introduced in California by State Senator Abel Maldonado, calling for the immediate dismissal of "any student convicted, pleading guilty to, or being adjudicated a delinquent minor with respect to specified rioting provisions of the Penal Code." Under the bill, students found guilty of rioting would also be prevented from attending or being admitted to any California Community College or California State University for at least one year. (6)
The Associated Students of the University of California system (ASUC) created a bill in opposition to SB 337, noting that it altered the Donahoe Higher Education Act and eligibility for Cal Grants, a form of financial aid. External Affairs Vice President Liz Hall, writing the opposition bill on behalf of ASUC, stated that the "UC Student Association opposes SB 337 as a threat to the rights of free speech and assembly of students." (7)
Read more about this topic: San Luis Obispo Mardi Gras Controversy
Famous quotes containing the words student, concerns, state and/or bill:
“It is clear that everybody interested in science must be interested in world 3 objects. A physical scientist, to start with, may be interested mainly in world 1 objects—say crystals and X-rays. But very soon he must realize how much depends on our interpretation of the facts, that is, on our theories, and so on world 3 objects. Similarly, a historian of science, or a philosopher interested in science must be largely a student of world 3 objects.”
—Karl Popper (1902–1994)
“In what concerns you much, do not think that you have companions: know that you are alone in the world.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Man made one grave mistake: in answer to vaguely reformist and humanitarian agitation he admitted women to politics and the professions. The conservatives who saw this as the undermining of our civilization and the end of the state and marriage were right after all; it is time for the demolition to begin.”
—Germaine Greer (b. 1939)
“It’s true I’ve got no shirts to wear;
It’s true my butcher’s bill is due;
It’s true my prospects all look blue—
But don’t let that unsettle you:”
—Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836–1911)