Students would give Symington stiffer sentence

"I think that it should have been a stiffer sentence," said Samuel Easley, senior Spanish. "I think that all politicians are crooks and they should be punished like anyone else."

In addition to jail time, U.S. District Judge Roger Strand ordered Symington to pay a $60,000 fine and serve five years probation after his release.

Tara Taylor, Associated Students administrative vice president, said Symington's sentence was fair.

"I think anyone that overuses their privilege in the political realm deserves to be punished, and if you disobey the law you are going to be punished," said Taylor, a political science junior.

Larisa Landrey, a nursing freshman, said, "It (the sentence) probably should have been longer, because if he were not famous it would have been longer."

Melvin Nez, a computer engineering sophomore, said he would have been upset if Symington was given a stiffer sentence.

"I'm surprised they didn't give him more," he said.

Tina Hayes, a biochemistry sophomore, said Symington's two terms as governor should not be a factor in his sentencing.

"I think people should be punished no matter who they are," she said.

Symington was ordered to turn over his passport and report to prison March 20.