Student Arrested During UMass Riot Sues Over Expulsion
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A former University of Massachusetts Amherst student expelled after his arrest at a post-Super Bowl disturbance on campus has filed a federal lawsuit against the university and two administrators.
Cullen Roe says in his lawsuit filed Thursday that his "interim restriction" two days after the Feb. 5 disturbance was "arbitrary, unfair, intimidating, wrongful and unlawful," in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the student code of conduct because no hearing was held so he could defend himself.
He is seeking monetary damages and reinstatement.
Roe was one of 14 people arrested. He pleaded not guilty and denied doing anything wrong.
A university spokesman says federal privacy regulations prevent the school from commenting on disciplinary action against a particular student. He says the school takes incidents like the Super Bowl disturbance "very seriously."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
