The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: Opinions

Right to fair trial?

University Judiciary's verdict in NORML trial was subjective, unfair.

What a long, strange trip it's been.

University Judiciary announced Tuesday night the University chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws will not only be sanctioned for trademark infringement and failure to comply, but will be placed on University probation for two years.

We believe that NORML's case - three months of defending its logo as political satire - was not handled objectively.

After being charged, NORML had to choose between signing a statement of wrongdoing and one year's probation, or proceeding to a formal hearing. Here the University Judiciary listened to NORML's defense, but nearly doubled its sanction.

The editorial board believes that NORML essentially was punished for standing up for itself. Although NORML may not stand for what everyone believes should be legal, it deserves to be treated as any student advocacy group would. Had NORML been advocating a legal substance, and drawn a bulldog in that light, as many student groups and off-campus businesses often do, it would not have been subject to the same grievances.

NORML is encouraging every student who believes in its cause, or simply its right to justice, to wear green this Thursday. It may not change the outcome of the case, but this simple action will let University Judiciary know that NORML's case should not be a precedent for future hearings. We all deserve the right to a fair trial, even those of us with radical ideas.



- Chelsea Cook for the editorial board

Decorum dilemma

It's the eternal problem in a college town: conflicts with the local residents.


Imagine your grandparents living next to a fraternity house. A little upsetting, right?

Well, Kappa Alpha is dealing with a not-uncommon dilemma as it handles its relations with close neighbors.

When the fraternity moved to its current location on Hancock Street in 2008, it moved smack dab into the middle of an area largely populated by Athens locals.

Athens is a unique town in that it claims a large, wealthy University in one of the poorest counties in the nation. And the lines are often harshly drawn between the two cultures - with the exception of downtown Athens, of course.

As visitors to Athens for four (or five or six) years, it's important to remember this town is home to thousands of permanent residents - and they deserve the same consideration and respect as anyone else.

One neighbor, in particular, of Kappa Alpha's has complained of loud noises and trash left on her property. Local ordinances demand all trash is removed by 8 the next morning, and in an perfect world, that would be the case. But ideally, Kappa Alpha shouldn't have to answer to neighbors bothered by the atmosphere that inherently surrounds a fraternity house.

We understand owning its own land was more attractive to Kappa Alpha than moving to the complex on River Road. And if the fraternity's alumni have the money to buy property, they absolutely have the right to do so.

But the area Kappa Alpha chose still mystifies us. If you're unfamiliar with the area, we urge you to either drive down Hancock Street, or simply enter "Hancock Street and Pope Street, Athens, GA" into Google maps. Hit "Street View," click your way west, and observe the discrepancies between the Kappa Alpha house and its surroundings.

This conflict between Athens locals and University students isn't just confined to fraternities. We all know students aren't Athens' only residents, so let's make an effort to appreciate our time here - without ticking off the locals.


- Shannon Otto for the editorial board

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