Recent disciplinary action taken against four University students protesting CIA recruitment will not have a chilling effect on future political demonstrations, said University President Bryce Jordan.

"I hope in no way that this situation will hamper people from exercising their first amendment rights," Jordan said.

Undergraduate Student Government President Seth Williams agreed that disciplinary action will not prevent future political rallies or protests, but said the procedures of the Office of Conduct Standards are detrimental to students' rights.

"The judicial system within the Office of Conduct Standard is very poor. Under the Bill of Rights, people have the right to avoid a situation of double jeopardy, but students at Penn State are in a state of perpetual jeopardy," he said.

Williams said students involved in a University Board Hearing do not have the presumption of innocence. The University alters its approach to each specific case and the pertaining issues, he added.

Donald Leslie, chairman of the University Board Hearing committee, said the hearing system is incredibly fair and could not comment on the specifics of the case.

"The issue of innocence is first and foremost during the course of a hearing. The system is designed to be fair; a student is innocent until proven guilty," he said.

Jordan said he is convinced the University has not violated any of the student's rights and places his utmost trust in the University's policies.

"I also place my upmost confidence in David Stormer. He is extremely careful of students' civil rights," he said. Stormer is the director of University Safety.

As a result of last November's protest, the University is pursuing disciplinary action against USG Executive Assistant Travis Parchman, Tim Fasnacht (junior-labor studies), Paul Sample (senior-business) and Jessica Stern (freshman-liberal arts) for their methods of protesting CIA recruitment. Sample has been suspended for at least one year.

University officials refuse to comment on the specific allegations.

Each received a letter from the Office of Conduct Standards by the end of Fall Semester informing them of conduct code violations. The letters also said each would be subject to a hearing concerning those violations.

The students had 10 days to respond to the allegations, with failure to do so resulting in automatic disciplinary dismissal.

Sample did not respond before the deadline and was suspended for at least one year. The other students responded before the ten-day period expired.

Sharon Basso, CIA spokesperson, said protestor's have their first amendment right to the freedom of speech, but denied the CIA is involved in illegal operations.

"We are subject to Congress and we do not violate the laws. The CIA is a law abiding agency," she said.

Jordan echoed Basso's comments regarding the CIA, describing it as a legitimate branch of the government.

"As you know, our current president is a former director of the CIA," he added.

Clifford Lutz, University Police supervisor, said University police are not filing criminal charges against the individuals.

Parchman and Stern received their hearing board notices Tuesday morning from University police. The hearing is scheduled for Jan. 31 at 1:30 p.m. in 135 Boucke Building.

Jordan also refused comment regarding the disciplinary actions, describing it as a matter of confidentiality and against University policy.