Two University students are scheduled to appear in court next week to face charges of drug possession.
According to a police report released Tuesday, second-year College student Anthony Polise was charged with possession of marijuana and the intent to distribute as well as the intent to sell marijuana on the property of a public institution. Second-year Engineering student David Flint also was charged with possession of marijuana.
The students were arrested in their apartment in Bice House in December and jailed before making bond, according to University Police.
University Police Captain Michael Coleman said officers responded to a notification and then obtained a search warrant for the students' apartment.
University spokesperson Carol Wood said the matter was under University Police jurisdiction. Resident Assistant staff members in Bice were not allowed to comment because of binding rules that apply to drug incidents. Director of Residence Life Angela Davis declined to comment yesterday.
Coleman said police learn about drug use from a variety of different sources.
"Officers will frequently stop and talk to the people and either ask permission to search an area or will obtain a search warrant," he said. "This is specifically in situations in which drug use is suspected. Assuming something is found, they would be charged with an offense."
Second-year College student and Bice resident Chelsey Jones said she was aware of the bust when it occurred.
"The night that it happened, we saw cops in the hall," Jones said. "We smelled the pot. We knew that somebody in the hall was smoking pot."
Second-year College student and Bice resident Colleen Laurence said she had not heard about the incident and that she was not aware of any parties involving drug use. She attributed this to the diffuse nature of the Bice community and the lack of communication between residents.
"I am surprised that such a serious crime occurred and that we weren't alerted to the incident by the Resident Staff, through e-mail or otherwise," Laurence said.
According to Coleman, Polise and Flint may face charges from the University Judiciary Committee as well as the criminal charges they currently face in court.
According to the University's official alcohol and drug policy, Polise and Flint may face expulsion for the charges. The policy states that whether or not criminal charges are brought, all students are subject to University discipline for illegally manufacturing, distributing, possessing or using any controlled substance on University-owned or leased property, at University-sponsored or supervised functions, or under other circumstances involving a direct and substantial connection to the University.
Polise declined to comment, and Flint was unavailable at press time yesterday.
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