Campus police detained several members of controversial student humor newspaper the Koala early Monday morning after discovering underage drinking in the publication’s Student Center Media Lounge space. The violation of university policy could lead to the organization’s suspension from its on-campus location for the second time in two years.
Koala Editor in Chief and Earl Warren College senior Kris Gregorian and three other students were held by officers for individual questioning after loud noises were heard coming from the Media Lounge at approximately 2:20 a.m. on Feb. 23. Police discovered trash bins containing empty beer cans as well as an underage student holding a half-empty beer, and issued three citations for public intoxication, adding that they would notify the appropriate administrative officials about the violation.
Gregorian, who was not issued a citation, denied responsibility for the incident.
‘The beers were in the trash when I found them,’ he said.
According to UCSD police Sgt. John Smart, the department has been increasing police visibility at night in response to the recent on-campus sexual assault of a female student, which occurred in parking lot 102 during the early evening hours of Feb. 3.
University Centers, the administrative faction responsible for overseeing on-campus space agreements with student organizations, specifically prohibits the presence of alcohol or drugs in student offices.
According to policy guidelines, rule violations result in the loss of an organization’s space assignment.
University Centers Director Paul Terzino said in an e-mail that he was made aware of the incident by campus police, but would offer no further comment before reviewing the official incident report, which he said would be released today.
Because of its provocative content, the Koala has had historically rocky relations with the university over its nearly 30 years as a registered student organization. The newspaper was kicked out of its office two years ago after a Student Center employee discovered alcohol and drug paraphernalia. Following a lengthy dispute during which Koala members handcuffed themselves to a couch for nearly a week, the newspaper’s office space was reassigned; however, the publication regained a slot in the Media Lounge at the beginning of last academic year.
Warren College freshman Wes Field, one of the students issued a citation, said that if members face eviction, they would continue to produce the Koala on private computers.
‘Those computers we use right now are shitty anyway,’ he said.
Readers can contact Matthew McArdle at [email protected].