2008 Woodie Awards
Incoming freshman arrested downtown, status at University jeopardized
TAMARA BEST
Issue date: 6/24/08 Section: News
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Hardeep Purewal, 18, from North Charleston, S.C., was arrested and charged early June 12 after Athens-Clarke County police approached him. He was "staggering greatly" as he began to urinate near Hull Street, according to the incident report. Smelling of alcohol, Purewal said a downtown bar "just let him in" and repeatedly asked police "what would it take to let him go." Police did not find a fake ID when they searched him, the report states.
Hours after being released, Purewal was scheduled to register for classes on OASIS during his second day of orientation. However, the registrar's office told The Red & Black that Purewal was "not registered for classes but in their system for the fall."
"All students are told at orientation that if there is any misconduct while at orientation, that their admission can be taken away," Tom Jackson, vice president for public affairs, said in a telephone interview Wednesday morning.
Jackson said he would not comment on the incident concerning Purewal, but said in the past the University has rescinded admission due to underage drinking arrests.
As defined by the Code of Conduct, a student includes those admitted to the University and attending orientation programs.
The rules in the Student Code of Conduct typically begin upon matriculating, when a student is registering or has registered for class, said Kim Ellis, vice president for student affairs.
"Up until that point, admission is conditional and that could include orientation periods," Ellis said.
Purewal had not matriculated, and as a result the incident will not be handled through the Office of Judicial Programs, Mitch Clayton, University open records manager, said in an e-mail Wednesday morning.
Purewal declined to comment Wednesday about the status of his admission and attendance at the University in the fall.
As a part of the orientation program, students are cautioned about the consequences of underage drinking during one of the Arch sessions called "Moderation."
The University Health Center, the University Police Department and other groups speak during the session, said Milly Legra, director of orientation.
"We also encourage the OLs [orientation leaders] to have a talk with them about the consequences," Legra said. "They hear it several times, but sometimes it helps to hear it from a peer."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 41
ben
posted 6/19/08 @ 9:46 AM EST
They shouldn't be able to do anything until the kid gets convicted. He has only been charged. And if I could tell the kid anything, Please, Please, don't plead guilty! Don't hire a lawyer either, just keep demanding a jury trial until the bitter end. (Continued…)
David Schwetty
posted 6/19/08 @ 10:37 AM EST
This is in no way newsworthy. I can't believe the R&B editorial board is going to allow another year of this garbage in the paper. 5 years ago there was rarely a mention of anyone being arrested for anything. (Continued…)
Andrew
posted 6/19/08 @ 12:00 PM EST
I am embarrassed, not for Mr. Purewal (I have no empathy for him. In fact, I am offended by his actions, as if UGA is a joke and I hope he loses his opportunity to attend UGA). (Continued…)
ugadawg36
posted 6/19/08 @ 12:13 PM EST
Well, I may be one reader who likes the crime watch and the articles on the outstanding arrests made around town. I think it's important that the University Community be aware of the consequences of stupid actions that warrant such arrests. (Continued…)
CoastalDawg
posted 6/19/08 @ 1:38 PM EST
Well the comment by "Ben" is exactly why these problems keep cropping up over and over and over. Whether or not he pleads guilty doesn't really matter - he was seen urinating in public by a police officer, he reeked of alcohol according to the report and he told the officer that he had been "let in" by the people at the bar. (Continued…)
CoastalDawg
posted 6/19/08 @ 1:49 PM EST
Oh yes, and he also lied to police by stating that he had no ID, another offense with which he could have been charged but apparently wasn't. Three strikes in one arrest, not ready for the big time. (Continued…)
Lynn
posted 6/19/08 @ 3:38 PM EST
There are so many qualified students wanting to attend UGA who were devastated when they were not accepted. This young man(child?) has already demonstrated that he is not the kind of individual who will add to the positive reputation of the university, and he has taken a place in the student body that might have gone to a more deserving individual. (Continued…)
JB
posted 6/19/08 @ 5:32 PM EST
You people are pathetic trying to defend the tabloid that is the Red and Black. First of all, get off your high horse. Yeah, he made a mistake, but don't talk him down like he is the scum of the earth because of it. (Continued…)
JB
posted 6/19/08 @ 5:37 PM EST
Oh, and great journalism Tamara. I notice the online edition is a little bit different from the actual print on campus. In the print edition, you incorrectly wrote that police DID find a fake id when they searched him when it is clear from the police report they didn't. (Continued…)
LetHimIn
posted 6/19/08 @ 6:20 PM EST
All this young man has done is he has demonstrated that he is well-prepared to behave like every other UGA student. Not only will he fit right in with the rest of the drunk idiots, he has shown he is well-prepared and ahead of the game. (Continued…)
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