By Tre Shuttlesworth News Editor
A Susquehanna University student is currently facing drug charges after police located controlled substances in his dorm room last Wednesday.
According to The Daily Item, Matthew Cassini was found in possession of 75 grams of marijuana and nine grams of cocaine.
Cassini currently faces two felony charges of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance. Misdemeanor charges include one count of possession of controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Cassini is free after posting $50,000 cash bail last Thursday.
According to documents from the District Magistrate, Cassini next faces a preliminary hearing on March 24 before District Judge John Reed. The preliminary hearing was originally scheduled for Feb. 2nd.
While a Susquehanna student facing drug charges will have to attend hearings in criminal court in Snyder County, they would also have to undergo the campus’ conduct process to determine their standing on campus. This process is outlined in Susquehanna’s Code of Conduct.
For drug related charges, the Code of Conduct outlines three levels of severity. These include 1D (significant), 2D (serious) and 3D (dangerous). The sale or distribution of a controlled substance falls under the 3D category.
For a 3D related offense, the severity of charges include an interim suspension, suspension, expulsion and parental notification.
For charges that could result in a suspension or expulsion, a student will undergo a University Conduct Board Hearing.
According to the Code of Conduct, the Conduct Board “reviews alleged violations in an effort to determine if violations took place and what appropriate sanctions should be assigned.”
This conduct board is trained and convened by the Dean of Students or a designee. It consists of five members that include two students, two faculty members, and a Board Chairperson. A quorum can also be called with a minimum of three members that includes at least one student.
Alternatives to this include an Ad Hoc Hearing Board if a University Conduct Board is unable to hear a case, or hearing with the Dean of Students if a student accepts responsibility for all charges administered.
In the case of a suspension, a student can not participate in University activities, academic or nonacademic during the duration of the suspension.
Expulsion is a permanent termination of student status. Under this, a student is not allowed on university property with a no trespass order issued by Public Safety. Additionally, the student can not reapply to Susquehanna.
