Frances Fu, Progressive Leader

Frances Fu
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Long Island, New York
Major: SESP: Social Policy
 
What are you involved in on campus?
SHAPE, (Sexual Health and Assault Peer Education,) Supplies for Dreams, REFRESH Dance Crew, Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP)
 
How did you create the idea for SSDP here on campus?
I was a pot leaf for Halloween and the initial reaction was inspiration for that.  The issue of legalization was always something I felt was important. NORMLwas originally at Northwestern, it died in 2009 when the founder graduated. I looked up the former President online and he said he would offer his help.
 
Why do you think it’s important to have this group on campus?
Many people are apathetic to the issue and it’s a common misconception that people who want to legalize want to get high. It’s important to have this group…[to give] an education to…present these issues on campus or else people would never know about [them]. It’s an issue that affects everyone even if they don’t smoke or do drugs.
 
What are your goals for the group on this campus?
I would like to have done some sort of programming at every Res College in the next two years. I would like to hold campus wide events. I hope by the time I graduate it will be an established group and not have it die again. Even if I can’t get people to change their minds I want to have programs and events to get people thinking about the issue….We have to look at how the drug polices we have are affecting us now. We realize that what we’re doing now doesn’t work so we have to change tactics.
 
How has the group been welcomed by the Northwestern community?
The staff and faculty I’ve talked to have been very supportive. I’ve talked to my boss at the Women’s Center. [Professor Mark] Sheldon agreed to advise the group. Among students, I would say most people have been excited for legalization and have been excited to see what our group can do and that includes smokers and non-smokers.
 
What have been some struggles you’ve faced with the group?
Many people are excited to attend events, but are hesitant to become over-involved because of the impact it may have on their jobs and resumes. People are concerned about the stigma associated with legalization. When then they think legalization, they think drugs everywhere. Just like the, nature of the group itself is a hard topic to deal with.
 
What have been some of the victories?
Now we have a solid ten member on exec, which was really hard because there were many people saying yes but then they dropped out. We have a racially diverse and interest diverse exec board, which I think, will help us. The Hobart [House] fireside was also a victory.
 
What events can we look forward to from SSDP?
In April, we have a speaker from an organization called Veteran VIP. The leader of the organization, Matt Victoriano, connects veterans to group who support progressive issues that the veterans themselves care about. We will be having veterans here, coming to talk about legalization because it’s the only thing, which helps them cope with posttraumatic stress disorder. We’re going to have a documentary called Play Safe screened here, about the importance of drug education.