The Undergraduate Student Government Senate discussed the University's marijuana policies with a University official last night.

Pat Peterson, assistant vice president of Campus Life, attempted to clarify the policies the Office of Conduct Standards has for dealing with marijuana offenses at the University.

The penalties are different according to whether students are caught possessing or selling marijuana, and whether the offense occurs on or off campus, Peterson said.

If a student is caught with up to one ounce of marijuana on campus, the minimum penalty for a first offense is one semester of disciplinary probation, Peterson said. The penalty can go as high as expulsion from the University for selling marijuana, she said.

East Halls Senator Paul Yacisin asked why the enforcement of the University's policy had been more lenient in the past, saying that in the 1970s and early 1980s marijuana use was more prevalent and tolerated at the University.

But Peterson said the University has always enforced its policy as strictly as it does now.

"I don't think one semester of disciplinary probation is much more than a slap on the knuckles," Peterson said.

Town Senator Cathy Suto asked Peterson if OCS would change its marijuana policy after a referendum passed during USG elections last spring. The referendum asked for a maximum punishment of one semester probation for marijuana possession.

OCS is interested in the community's opinions, Peterson said, but added that the University must address other issues such as liability and won't change its policy because of one vote.