Umass Upholds Editor Dismissals by STEVEN D
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C.I fflmutttttatt iaflg Cknuma Serving Storrs Since 1896 VOL. LXXIX NO. 86 STORRS, CONNECTICUT THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1976 Court rejects state marijuana statute By JOHN HILL III juana was a harmless drug. He said the Assistant News Editor defense cited medical evidence that A state Superior Court judge has marijuana is "relatively harmless." declared Connecticut's marijuana laws Williams said Berdon ruled the del 'nst unconstitutional in a ruling handed down had proved beyond a reasonable doubt Tuesday, and State's Attorney Arnold that marijuana is not a dangerous drug Markle reportedly said the state would and therefore it can not be classified with appeal the decision. drugs such as barbituates and ampheti- John R. Williams, the defense attorney mines. in the case, said Wednesday the decision Although the issue of simple possession is not binding on any other judges, "but was not before the court. Williams said it does carry some moral power." Berdon felt the laws again*! possession ot State Superior Court Judge Robert I. marijuana violated an individual's right Berdon ruled that the 1972 law which to privacy. classifies marijuana with barbituates and Rao was charged with possession and amphetimines. is an "irrational group- intent to sell, a charge that would ahve ing." Berdon ruled that to place some- carried a maximum penalty of seven thing as "harmless" as marijuana with years in prison term or a $1,000 fine or dangerous drugs such as barbituates and both for a first-time offender. A second- amphetimines denies constitutional guar- time offender may draw a 15-year prison antees of equal protection under the law. term or a $5,000 fine. Prosecution of suspects charged with Berdon called the penalties for posses- possession and intent to sell marijuana sion with intent to sell too "arbitrary." will not be affected until the case is "This is the first time a Connecticut decided by the State Supreme Court. court has held this view." Williams said. If the state loses an appeal, the case "The law was ruled unconstitutional against Robert Rao. 23. of Hamden. will because of the grouping." He said other be dismissed. Rao was arrested Sept. 12. states have also had their laws struck 1974. in a Quinipiac College parking lot down, among them Michigan and Illinois. and charged with possession with intent The case may not be resolved for some Photo by Steve McGuff to sell 32 pounds of marijuana. time. Williams said. He said the appeal STUDY ON THE ROCKS — Three UConn coeds study for mid-term exams outside Williams said Berdon's ruling agreed by the state would "take some time" to while enjoying Wednesday's sunny skies and warm record-breaking temperatures. with the defense's contention that mari- go through the channels for another ruling. The University has announced plans io ;hangc the penalty in the Student Conduct Code for Possession or use ot marijuana. The present code, which was Ford calls close victory'decisive passed b\ the Board of Trustees in 1971. calls For a maximum penalty ol expulsion. By ARNOLD SAWISLAK In the Democratic race, with the vote convention in Aigust. United Press Irternational also nearly complete. Carter polled But Reagan wisn't depressed by losing Warm weather President Ford, who defeated Ronald 22.840 votes. :!9 per cent; U.S. Rep. his night-long lead just before dawn Reagan by about 1.200 votes in the Morris Udall. 1 3,597 votes, 24 per cent; Wednesday. The Californian forced the cliffhanger New Hampshire primary. U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, 12,563 votes, 16 closest election in New Hampshire presi- beats Florida Wednesday called the win decisive and per cent; former U.S. Sen. Fred Harris, dential primary history, and jubilantly WINDSOR LOCKS (UPI) - Florida "a great springboard" to winning the 8.826votes. 11 percent; Sargent Shriver. told supporters before leaving to cam- sun worshipers take note. White House on his own. 6.649 votes, 9 |>er cent. Carter won 13 paign in Illinois, "we far exceeded out Wednesday's 67-degree reading at Democrat Jimmy Carter, buoyed by an convention delegates. Udall the other 4. expectations." 1 p.m.. a new record for the date, unexpectedly solid win over four liberal In Washington, Ford told his campaign With 30 mote primaries before the made it as hot as Miami Beach, where Democrats which thrust him into the aides he was "delighted" with the New parties pick their standard-bearers, the the National Weather Service said it front-running position, immediately Hampshire resu.ts — the first time he has results of the f rst voting in America's was 67 and raining slightly. turned his attention to Tuesday's Mas- faced any electcrate outside the friendly bicentennial sweepstakes did nothing to The NWS at Windsor Locks said sachusetts primary and criticized U.S. confines of his Grand Rapids, Mich., give any candicate a clear path to the temperatures which broke the 64 mark Sen. Henry M. Jackson, one of his main home district. He said he particularly was nominations. set for the date in 1964 were expected rivals. pleased by the heavy delegate victory. Immediately launching his Massachu- to reach the 70's before slipping to the With virtually all ballots counted. Ford White House press secretary Ron setts campaign. Carter accused Jackson mid-30's overnight. had 54.786 vote>, or 51 per cent; Reagan Nessen said Ford believes the New of abandoning his long career as a civil But Thursday promised more of the 53.544. or 49 per cent. Ford also won 17 Hampshire win has him rolling toward a rights advocate. bright, balmy weather in the Nutmeg of the 21 delegates to the GOP national string of major primary wins and a first Carter, who seconded Jackson's presi- State with the thermometer back into convention. ballot presidential nomination at the GOP Continued on Page 6 the 60s. the NWS said. UMass upholds editor dismissals By STEVEN D. HULL The dismissals prompted the takeover was "strictly a personal issue" between which is "essential" for the "smooth and of the Collegian's offices, which are the black affairs department and O'Con- operation of the paper." TONY CRON1N located in the UMass Student Union, by nor. Neither Gordon or Malik were available AMHERST. Mass. — The Board of about 35 black students. Numerous "O'Connor's hasty personalized action for comment Wednesday evening. Editors of the University of Massachu- accusations were tossed by both sides. has completely invalidated all the hard The Cru\s Rimis supplement, which setts (UMass) student newspaper voted The black students entered the ofices work, new leadership and positive atti- was begun this semester, was scheduled Wednesday to stand by the dismissals of at about 8:30 p.m. and ordered all but tudes and accomplishments of the Daily to be published in Wednesday's Colleg- two black editors that had sparked a 3-1 /2 four staff members to leave. Inside. Collegian this year," the statement said. ian, but did not appear because of the hour takeover of the paper's offices by Collegian Editor-in-Chief William Mills Gordon and Malik recommended that: dismissals. O'Connor said the supple- about 35 black students Tuesday night. negotiated with the black students for — O'Connor be "relieved of duties" ment would probably be published next At a th'ree-hour emergency meeting more than three hours, until the students — Mills be praised for his work and week, with the supervision of two acting Wednesday afternoon, the nine editors of left peacefully at midnight. advice black affairs editors, who would soon be the Massachusetts Daily Collegian up- During the takeover, the black students — the Collegian constitution be reor- appointed by members of the black held the dismissals of Black Affairs barricaded the office doors with desks, ganized to insure that the paper would be community. Editor Rick Scott Gordon and Assistant preventing six campus policemen and two more representative of the UMass stu- Black Affairs Editor Abdul Malik. UMass representatives from entering. dent A 16-page edition of the Collegian came The two editors coordinated the publi- During the takeover Mills held up a O'Connor, in a statement to the board out on time Wednesday morning despite cation of the Grass Roois . a four-page sign in front of the office window that of editors, charged Gordon and Malik Tuesday night's takeover. O'Connor said weekly Collegian supplement dealing said. "No violence, everybody's safe, with neglecting the needs of the Collegian the Collegian's staff members who were with "Third World" news. They were they'll be out by 12." by being only concerned with their own not held in the office put the paper fired early Tuesday evening by Collegian In a statement protesting the dismis- publication. O'Connor also said Gordon together in the Student government Managing Editor Charles F. O'Connor. sals. Gordon and Malik said the matter did not adhere to his 6 p.m. deadline offices. Our View Many 'victories', but few results in primary "moderate" stand will retain his front-run- The results of the New Hampshire primary Hampshire was surely a factor in his success, received enormous media coverage, hut at Reagan has shown that Republicans will vote ning position. Primaries throughout recent history have this stage it seems clear w\y a few for him despite discrepancies and contradic- never been very decisive in choosing tenuous conclusions can be drawn from the tions in his campaign rhetoric. This places the nominees and this year seems no different. primary. burden on Ford, who must convince the Opinion polls are showing that New Hamp- Nearly all of the candidates are claiming votercs that his policies are working to aid the "victory"* in one sense or another in New economy, the key issue in the election.