I was upset when I heard a Northwestern student was charged with drug possession. I cried when I read Scott Wheeler was “suspended indefinitely.” That was 103 grams of Mary Jane that could have been in my lungs.

Being “suspended indefinitely” sucks, especially since he was one credit short of graduation. When someone is “found in violation of University policy”, the iron fist of in-house discipline must be handed down, right?

On Gone Greek Night of 2000, an NU student was raped in a dorm lounge by a fellow student. She chose to use NU’s Sexual Assault Hearing and Appeals System, notoriously abbreviated as “SAHAS.” By using SAHAS, she kept the matter out of court, ensuring confidentiality and quick action. The accused student was “found in violation of University policy,” and a one-year suspension was recommended.

He appealed the verdict. Attempts were made to have him removed from housing, but Peggy Barr, the former Vice President of Student Affairs, refused. She believed he didn’t pose a threat.

The appeal was denied, and the accused student left campus for his year-long suspension. But because of SAHAS policy, no official record of the student’s “policy violation” was kept. Actions levied by the standard university discipline system were maintained in records. This meant a student disciplined for drugs would have a black mark against grad school hopes, while the rapist would not.

It was only through intense student activism, headed by Women’s Coalition, that this discrepancy was fixed so that SAHAS records were reported. It remains disgraceful, however, that extreme activism was necessary for common sense issues.

NU has been extremely active in enforcing drug and alcohol violations. Of course, our legal system might find the university liable if a drug or alcohol related death occurs. But for rape, chances are the university wouldn’t have to worry. As usual at NU, money makes the rules.

SAHAS did not recommend expulsion. They didn’t want to “ruin his life and career” by labeling him a rapist. How thoughtful. Rapists get better treatment than suspected drug dealers. Rape is a crime against a person, but drugs are something one does to oneself.

I’m glad I wrote this, because now I’ll make sure to spend my free time in line with NU’s misogynist 1950s-style policies and values. Boys will be boys, right? As long as they keep clear of the devil weed:

” Golly, I’ve got a hum-dinger of a plan for tonight.”

” Gosh darn, I wanted to smoke some swell grass.”

“Only foreigners and reds smoke grass. I got a better plan for us. I met me a doll this week, she’s a real looker. I’ll see if she’s got a friend. We’ll park at the lake and give them the time. Wait ’till you see this broad. She’s got it coming!”

” Gee! That sounds swell!”

“And then we’ll ditch those gashes, and go prowling the town for something real nice. There are some bushes on Garnet we can hide in. There’s no lighting or police. Some doll’ll walk by, and wham! We’ll give her the time, real good. There won’t be a virgin left by dawn.”

” Super! Let me grab my fraternity sweatshirt.”

“And we’ll abuse some animals too!”

“Dang! That’d make a great homecoming theme!”

“NU sure is swell!”

Mike Sherman is a Communication senior. He can be reached at [email protected].