Dean of Students James A. Roemer has ordered that natural evergreen trees or branches will NO TREES not be allowed in campus build­ ings in accordance with “ the policy recommendations of the OSHA Central Committee of the University.” The Committee, according to Roemer, has suggested the use *The of fireproof artificial trees and trimmings as an alternative. There are other traditional decorations at Christmas time which constitute an increased fire hazard, such as candles and Christmas lights,” Roemer’s Observer directive read. an independent student newspaper serving notre dame and st. mary's These safety measures must be observed to avoid a “ tragic Vol XI. No. 56 Wednesday, December 1, 1976 loss of life” or personal injury,” — ■ — the directive continued. Dean Roemer addresses HPC; explains disciplinary procedures by Tom Byrne to have Roemer assign the appro­ parietals offense, “all by itself,” Senior Staff Reporter priate disciplinary action. As an some type of work assignment was alternative, the student can request arranged for the violator. A second Dean of Students James Roemer a hearing before a University offense usually warrants expulsion appeared before the Hall Presi­ official appointed by Roemer, or from the residence hall. Dismissal dents Council last night and at­ before the University Judicial from the University results when tempted to clarify his standard Board. transgressions are repeated or procedures for arriving at decisions “I offer the hearing if there is flagrant, such as “ drop-kicking the regarding disciplinary matters. any question about how the facts parietal concept and combining it Roemer was invited to speak at have been written,” remarked with drinking violations.” the meeting by HPC Chairman J. Roemer. He stated that the HPC Secretary Mary McCormick P. Russell at the request of several students usually decline this stated that inconsistencies between hall presidents who expressed option. the halls had resulted in an often concern about apparent incon­ He noted that this elaborate erratic disciplinary policy. “ Many sistencies in recent disciplinary procedure is used only when deal­ rectors and rectresses handle Uni­ actions. ing with serious matters. “ I’m not versity policies in different ways,” “ I don’t at all resent the fact that going to go through all that if I’m she said. “Numerous situations you have questions,” he told the just going to wind up saying, ‘don’t have never even gotten to you council. “I work for the entire do it again,” ’ he said. (Roemer). I’m not saying they community. I hope to demonstrate Roemer added that a University necessarily should, but there’s an by answering your questions that I official is always present when the injustice there.” am responsible to you too.” waiver is taken to ensure that the Roemer responded that he was Describing the University regu­ student involved was not coerced “very much aware” of the situa­ lations listed in du Lac as ‘‘my into signing. tion. “ It does bother me,” he said, Bible,” Roemer noted that he was Drawing an analogy with the adding that he had sent the rectors not able to discuss specific cases. proceedings in a civil court, he a letter earlier in the year remind­ He instead outlined “ how I norm­ expressed his objection to students ing them of their responsibility to ally handle a case.” who wish to appeal to the Uni­ [continued on page 3] versity J-Board when they are Waiver is standard procedure dissatisfied with his decision. “ You can’t go to a different court Hesburgh hinted Roemer explained that most because you don’t like the deci­ disciplinary matters come to his sion,” he declared. for HEW post attention “when somebody calls by Chris Smith me up." These Calls are usually Grounds for appeal Asst. Managing Editor from either campus security or one of the hall staffs. In a typical “ No waiver I’ve ever taken has A list of candidates, including instance, Roemer possesses most ever waived the right to a hearing University President Theodore of the facts before he summons the by the Appeals Board,” said Hesburgh, for secretary and under­ student to his office. Roemer. He emphasized that a secretary of Health, Education and At the initial confrontation with belief that the prescribed punish­ Work continues on the new St. Mary's athletic facility, scheduled to Welfare (HEW) in President-elect be completed this year. [Photo by Leo Hansen] the student, the dean commented ment was too severe did not Jimmy Carter’s cabinet, appeared that he is cautious not to establish a constitute grounds for a legitimate in last Thursday’s edition of the “counseling relationship,” so he appeal. Washington Post. The Appeals Board is composed will not be liable to accusations of Thus there is speculation that the of one administrator, one student deliberate deception to gain in­ Notre Dame president might and one faculty member appointed League of Cities endorses formation. “I explain my re­ receive the appointment to the each spring by the Student Life sponsibility as an enforcer of the government post. rules and regulations of the Uni­ Council. Beyond this group a versity,” he said, adding that he student may appeal to the Uni­ The article also mentioned Rep. decriminalization of drugs John Brademas and eleven others emphasizes that the student “ is in versity president for a final ruling. proved without dissent. a serious relationship with the Uni­ “A penalty itself is not a proper as candidates for the job, and revealed the names of fourteen DENVER (AP) — Strong support Hatcher said city officials are versity.” grounds for appeal in du Lac,” said possibilities for secretary and has emerged from the nation’s more and more frustrated with After his first meeting with the Roemer, “unless you could show under secretary of Housing and biggest group of municipal officials law-enforcement efforts to curb student, Roemer indicated that he some violation of student rights, Urban Development (HUD). to decriminalize all drugs, inclu­ drug traffic. The proposal he calls for a second conference after a substantial new evidence, or some ding heroin, as part of a vigorous guided through its committee tests two-day waiting period. During personal prejudice.” When asked about the rumors that he would be offered the HEW attack on the street terror that illicit on Monday reads: this interval, he prepares “ a docu­ In response to a question from post, Hesburgh declined to drug trafficking brings to Ameri­ “ Whenever feasible, alcohol and ment stating the facts of the Planner President Mark Eck, comment, saying there had been no ca’s cities. drug abuse should be decriminal­ incident.” The lapse also gives the Roemer explained that the punish­ offer as of this time. Decriminalization, the removal ized and handled as a behavioral student an opportunity to seek ment in a particular case depended A South Bend Tribune article of criminal penalties for possession health problem, as long as persons advice on the matter. on several factors, including the yesterday quoted Hesburgh as and use of narcotics, was endorsed are held fully accountable for any By signing this waiver drawn up number of previous offenses. “not even thinking about” the this week by the key committees on deviant or criminal actions while by the dean, the student consents He indicated that for the first possibility of an appointment. policy and resolutions of the Nat­ under the influence of these sub­ An article last Friday in the ional League of Cities. The stances.” Tribune said that Hesburgh would proposal goes to the league’s Hatcher said he could not guess have to end his more than 24-year 3,000-member Congress of Cities whether the full Congress of Cities post as Notre Dame’s president. today. will approve the proposal but The article further stated that “The increase in drug-related added, “The giant social cost of Hesburgh would be reluctant to do crime and drug-related deaths are drug traffic-the burglaries, the this because of a forthcoming an insufferable burden on urban robberies, the terror,” may finally fund-raising drive in which he will economies,” said Mayor Richard lead the city officials to take “this be a key figure. Hatcher of Gary, Ind. who shep­ giant step.” Last week, Hesburgh met with herded the proposal through the Barbara Ackerman, council President-elect Carter to discuss committees. member from Cambridge, Mass., what Hesburgh called “a special If the congress approves the said the proposal should be secon­ project.” The nature of this project resolution, decriminalization would dary to efforts to define and was not disclosed. become official league policy. eliminate the reasons drug addic­ At that meeting, Hesburgh League staff members in Washing­ tion continues to spread across the presented Carter with a list of ton could lobby for federal laws United States. people he would recommend for implementing the policy. Hatcher agreed but said: “We cabinet positions. It is from this list The league is a group of mayors are not suggesting that heroin be and lists submitted by eleven other and other elected city officials. Its put on the market at the comer advisors that the persons named in annual meeting ends Wednesday, drugstore,” only that it be treated the Washington Post article were with the expected election of the as a health problem rather than as chosen. 52-year-old league’s first woman a criminal problem. University information officials president, Seattle council member He said decriminalization would refused to comment on the possi­ Phyllis Lamphere. remove the financial incentives Dean Roemer spoke to the HPC last night to clarify disciplinary bility of Hesburgh becoming HEW Lamphere chaired the Resolu­ from drug trade. “This is a procedures.