Pubdate: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 Source: Buchtelite, The (U of Akron, OH Edu) Copyright: 2006 The Buchtelite Contact: http://www.buchtelite.com/about/letters.shtml Website: http://www.buchtelite.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4117 Author: Lisa Kopec, News Editor Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) PROENZA RESPONDS TO CONCERNS Former University of Akron graduate student Charles Plinton was banned from the University of Akron dorms in 2004. An Office of Student Judicial Affairs panel board found him "responsible" for trafficking marijuana on campus to a confidential informant known as "Hulk" on two separate occasions. The university ruling occurred after a jury in the Summit County Common Pleas Court dismissed Plinton's accusations. Plinton was suspended from school for the 2004 fall semester. He moved back home to New Jersey and did not return to UA. Hulk, who was a 35-year-old convicted felon, accused Plinton of selling him marijuana on two separate occasions. In a statement released Wednesday, Proenza stated, "In a response to a variety of concerns, I am calling for a thorough assessment of university regulations governing the student disciplinary process." Hulk was hired by the Summit County Drug Unit to participate in the joint effort with the university police department to reveal any drug activity in the dorms. According to university spokesperson Paul Herold, it is not unusual for felons to serve as confidential informants in an effort to turn their lives around. Hulk, however, was living next door to Plinton in Wallaby Residence Hall for two months in 2004. Lt. Gregory Clementi, the staff commander at the Youngstown State University police department said they have used confidential informants in the past, but not in the residence halls. "We've used them to make buys, but we never have put informants in the dorms," Clementi said. Hulk's felony record included burglary, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, DUI, domestic violence and possession of drug paraphernalia. Keith Thornton, an inspector at the Summit County Drug Unit said they felt Hulk would not be a threat to students. Proenza's statement addressed this concern. "The questions raised by many of you about the appropriateness of the confidential informant's presence there are important ones that merit full consideration. Therefore, I have directed an analysis of all cooperative agreements with law enforcement agencies and any relevant policies or practices to ensure that current and future law enforcement tactics are appropriate for a university environment." During the two months Hulk lived in Wallaby Hall, residents were not made aware of his felony activity, but the Department of Residence Life and Housing was. "Residence Life and Housing is expected to comply with requests of law enforcement officials and investigative units," John Messina, director of residence life and housing said. Messina was not director when Hulk was on campus. David Stephens, who is no longer associated with UA, was the director when Hulk lived in Wallaby Hall. Messina said that when students apply to live in the dorms, little screening is done. "Neither the housing contract nor the application to the university inquires about arrests or felonies," Messina said. "Residence Life and Housing is informed when a convicted sex offender applies for housing, and in some other cases we are contacted by local law enforcement agencies, then we deny the application for housing." Although felony activity is not considered when someone wants to live in campus residence halls, failure to comply with the UA Student Code of Conduct can result in dismissal from the dorms. Plinton's case was an example. He committed suicide on Dec. 12. Proenza said he is deeply distressed. "We must take this opportunity to examine all practices that have been called into question by our students, faculty, staff and community members."