Penalties issued for Big Andy’s incident
By Mike McPhee
News Editor
The University is taking disciplinary action against the 90 students cited by police for underage drinking during February’s “Pandamonium” fundraiser held at Big Andy’s Bar and Grill in Milton, according to a University official.
“I reduced it to the least punitive measure, even though there was a range of PBTs [portable breathalyzer tests] recorded,” Associate Dean of Students Gerald Commerford said.
Students found guilty will be issued one point on the University alcohol policy system in addition to the penalties from the police, which vary by individual. They can include a fine of up to $500 and a three-month suspension of a driver’s license in the state of Pennsylvania.
Although “Pandamonium” was held at an off-campus location, the Feb. 27 event was sanctioned by the University and required further action be taken by University officials.
The decision to reduce the students’ penalty to its minimum was made “in a sense of fairness to everyone,” Commerford said.
Not all students went through the same process with the police, and not all of the 90 students received breathalyzer tests.
“There are really two avenues—one was those pleading not guilty and requesting a hearing before the Northumberland magistrate, and a second pleading guilty,” Commerford said.
Of the 90 students, approximately 10 have accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty, 70 requested a hearing, and 10 have not yet responded with a choice of action.
Some of the students pleading “not guilty” are hoping their lawyers can convince the court the way the PBT tests and citations were administered at Big Andy’s was illegal, forcing them to throw out the results of the PBT tests from the night.
The University and Northumberland County will now have to schedule individual hearings for each of the 70 students requesting one.
