UMass vows swift discipline for rioters

AMHERST - The 13 University of Massachusetts students arrested during the on-campus disturbances following Sunday's Super Bowl are expected to be disciplined by the Dean of Students office as soon as possible.

"They are interested in resolving this quickly," said UMass spokesman Daniel Fitzgibbons.

The students, who were arrested on charges including disorderly conduct, inciting a riot and failure to disperse from a riot, all pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday during their arraignments in Eastern Hampshire District Court.

Fitzgibbons said the students will be called to the Dean of Students office to meet with staff in the coming days.

"At that point, the case is reviewed against them and they can present their side of the case," Fitzgibbons said.

Dean Enku Gelaye said in a statement that disciplinary procedures will proceed with individual cases examined in detail.

"The dean makes the decision on what sanction is needed, depending on the case," Fitzgibbons said.

Fitzgibbons expects there will be input on each case from police.

Under the Code of Student Conduct, sanctions the university can impose include suspension or expulsion.

Expulsion would mean a permanent removal of the student from campus and a sanction on the student's transcript. The student would also be barred from visiting campus.

A suspension would be at least for the remainder of the semester and would mean the loss of academic credit and the possibility of also not being allowed on campus.

Specific actions taken will not be released due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

A 14th person arrested on campus Sunday is not a student.

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