8 B.C. Students to Face Trespass Charge Today

Eight of the nine Boston College students suspended during the takeover of an administration building on December 2 and 3 face charges of criminal trespass in the Newton District Court today.

Last week the University Conduct Board of Boston College decided that the nine students who were suspended by the administration immediately following the protest action were "not guilty" on the principle of "Christian humanism."

The decision of the Conduct Board came in an open hearing on December 6 attended by over 200 students. The Conduct Board, which consists of three faculty members, three undergraduates, and one graduate student, voted 3-2 in favor of the students with one abstention and one member absent.

"After considering the moral arguments put forth by the respondents and after considering the goals of the university, i.e. Christian humanism, (we) find the respondents not guilty as charged," said a statement included with the verdict. "The majority of the voting members of the University Conduct Board not only feels that the respondents were morally justified but were morally obligated to do what they did."

Eight of the nine students acquitted by the Conduct Board were arraigned by the Newton District Court on the morning of December 3 along with five alumni and two others not connected with the university. They were later released on personal recognizance.

On Tuesday a group of students and faculty conducted a teach in on defense research and university involvement with the military. Bernard Bellon, an organizer of the teach in, said yesterday. "I don't look for much to happen until the next recruiters come. Then it could be all over, but I don't know. There are a lot of variables."