MONDAY, MAY 3, 1999

Students face drug sanctions

By Michelle Devera

On-Line Forty-Niner

Two dormitory residents face possible administrative sanctions for smoking marijuana at Parkside Commons Wednesday afternoon, said Lt. Judi King, University Police public information officer.

However, the two suspects were not arrested due to insufficient physical evidence, King said.

"If they already smoked the marijuana cigarette," she said, "we would need more than just smoke and ashes."

A resident assistant in building Q called University Police to complain about marijuana smoke.

The two suspects were then interviewed by police and a report was taken, but no further action ensued.

"We didn't have enough to charge them criminally, so we forwarded the information to the housing administration," King said.

Housing officials would not comment about the incident, but said all disciplinary matters are first handled through the residence hall's judicial board, a jury consisting of other residents.

If reprimanded, the suspects could face a wide range of disciplinary actions.

"There is no standard punishment for any offense," said Anje Castro, Parkside Commons resident coordinator. "The judicial board could just give them a verbal warning or refer them to the school's judicial affairs [department]. If anyone is kicked out of the dorms, the decision would come from them, not us."

In other police action,

· One student assaulted another student with a chair during class over a disagreement in the College of Business Administration building on April 20. The victim was treated for facial lacerations at the Student Health Center. The student did not press charges and no arrest was made.

· Four people were arrested for attempted auto burglary, also on April 20. When police arrived at Lot 14, they found the suspects gathered around the car with its hood up.