Purdue ends disciplinary
actions toward revelers, cases pending
By Kurt Esposito
Summer
Editor
Despite some controversy, the Deans of Student
Offices and the Purdue Police Department have finished taking actions
relating to the disturbances that followed the women's college basketball
championship April 1.
Following the basketball games around 1,000 students
took part in celebrations around campus. Some students set fires and
committed acts of vandalism throughout various parts of campus and West
Lafayette.
In all eight students were expelled, five suspended
and 20 were arrested on various charges— six the night of the disturbances
and 14 from outstanding warrants in the weeks following.
"I think that is was necessary to show that this
will not be tolerated," said Stephen Akers, assistant dean of students.
He said when disciplining students the Dean of
Students Office looked the context of each incident. He said a student
who lit a fire in the vicinity of many people received a harsher penalty
than someone who lit an isolated fire in a parking lot.
He said most students who were identified as being
at the disturbances and not taking part during the disturbances received
warnings.
"The more students around the more it encourages
anonymity," he said.
Those students who were seen repetitively setting
fires and causing vandalism were the ones who received expulsions and
suspensions.
He said eight of the students who were either suspended
or expelled appeal the decision. Seven of the students were denied and
the penalty for eighth was lowered from a expulsion to a suspension.
The suspensions range anywhere from one to four
semesters.
Akers said the University is finished taking all
of its disciplinary actions.
Ronald Fosnaugh, captain of special services for
the Purdue Police Department, said the department has no outstanding
warrants.
Most of those who were arrested still face trial
dates in the Tippecanoe County Courts.
Kathy Gray, deputy prosecuting attorney for the
Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office, said most of students arrested
are seeking plea bargain and the rest set for trial in the next few
months.
She said a majority of the students are facing
A misdemeanor charges, which, if convicted, can mean up to one year
in jail for the defendants.
Fosnaugh said the Web site which posted was helpful
in the arrests of many of the perpetrators.
The Web site also caused controversy as many students
objected to it saying it was unconstitutional.
Maarten Rothman, a graduate student in the School
of Liberal Arts, said, "I don't think it was a good idea to put all
the pictures on the Web site. I think that encouraged people to rat
on their fellow students."
He said he likes the idea that the University took
strict disciplinary action but he said students should turn in other
student on their own accord and not because of financial reasons.
Fosnaugh said because of the nature of the incidents
most people support the actions the police and administration took.
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