Students charged with smoking pot in dorm

Parents can be notified of situations involving drugs.

By Harry Plumer

Published April 15, 2008

Two students were arrested Sunday on suspicion of smoking in the third floor lounge of Stafford Hall, police said.

Sophomore Tramez D. Roberson was arrested on suspicion of possession of 35 grams or less of marijuana, and freshman Adrian B. Hyman was arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The two were caught after a staff member called police around 10:30 p.m.

Consequences for drug offenses can vary from case to case, but Residential Life Director Frankie Minor said there are some typical sanctions levied on drug offenders in the dorms.

“The use of any illegal drug, whether that be marijuana or even prescription drugs that aren’t prescribed to you, is illegal and dealt with very seriously,” Minor said. “Typical sanctions for students involved in drug violations involve residence hall probation and by virtue of some of the University’s policies, parental notification.”

Generally, the Family Education Rights Privacy Act, commonly known as FERPA, prevents colleges and universities from contacting parents, but recent federal changes have tweaked the policy.

“We can notify parents of student conduct in some very limited types of situations,” Minor said. “Drugs is one of those situations.”