Dean of Students office investigating student involvement in 4th Ave. riot

University President Peter Likins called individuals involved with Monday's riots "thugs" and "sick individuals." He has contributed $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons who overturned cars and a motor home and set fires on North Fourth Avenue.

"We are determined to identify and hold accountable any students engaged in acts of violence on Fourth Avenue and will do everything within our power to do so," Likins said in a letter, which can be found in its entirety on page 4.

The administration currently has no jurisdiction against students who are arrested for crimes off campus unless they involve the sale or distribution of illegal drugs or controlled substances, or violence which may present a danger to the safety of the university community, according to the University Student Code of Conduct.

However, in response to the community and Likins' letter, the Dean of Students Office may try to amend the code so its reach will extend to such behavior if it arises again.

Until then, the deans say the current code allows them some discretion, said dean Melissa Vito, who met with legal counsel yesterday.

"There is a possibility that if we found a particular student was involved in a particularly dangerous activity that the code allows for repercussions," she said.

Possible consequences include suspension or expulsion, Vito said.