Several students cited in the Oct. 13 raid of Finnigan's Irish Pub received a $100 fine shortly after returning from Thanksgiving break, according to students who were in the bar when it was raided by the Indiana State Excise Police.

The students reported that they and their parents received letters from the Office of Residence Life stating that the fines would be charged directly to their student accounts.

"The University expects that all its students will act responsibly in their off-campus social conduct so as to reflect favorable upon themselves and the University community," read letters received by two students from director of Residence Life Jeff Shoup. "Conduct which results in your arrest is clearly below the standard of off-campus conduct the University expects of its students.

"As a result of your involvement in this situation, a [$100] fine will be assessed to your student account."

One student who was received a letter felt that charging student accounts was an inappropriate way to collect the fine.

"If they want to hold students responsible, make the students pay it. I know I did something wrong," she said. "My parents were really angry because they had to pay for my mistake, and that just perpetuates this irresponsibility."

Shoup said that both the parent and students names appear on student accounts bills. Students may also pay fines by cash or check in the Residence Life office.

Shoup said that fines are one means used by his office to sanction students found to have violated duLac. Other possible punishments could include community service or an alcohol assessment.

"There's a range of sanctions ... for violations that range from a verbal warning to a permanent dismissal," he said.

In choosing which sanction to enforce, the office considers past cases involving similar situation and consults duLac for specific disciplinary guidelines.

Shoup declined to speak specifically about the Finnigan's cases and assistant vice president for Residence Life Bill Kirk said that he could not discuss the violations, citing student confidentiality.

Shoup did confirm that students guilty of violations are asked to suggest an appropriate sanction. The Office of Residence Life considers those suggestions, but may or may not implement them.

"We certainly consider whatever they write, but there is certainly a wide range of responses when you make that request," he said.

Students who commit the same offense may receive a different sanction based on the circumstances surrounding the violation, Shoup said. All six cited students contacted by The Observer reported receiving the $100 fine.

The office does not handle the cases of student-athletes differently from those of non-athletes, said Shoup, and suspending athletes from competition is not an option among the sanctions available to Residence Life.

However, Residence Life may choose to place a student on probation, a punishment that forbids students from representing the University in any capacity, including varsity athletics.

So far none of the Irish athletes cited at Finnigan's have been banned from competition.

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