Students charged with underage drinking on campus may face hundreds of dollars in fines -- and possible expulsion from the University.

The first underage drinking offense can result in up to $300 in fines and about $50 in court fees. Upon conviction, an offender's license can be suspended for 90 days, said Don Reed, a University Police Services officer. The final decision on fines is ultimately up to a district magistrate, Reed said.

"(The magistrate) will not usually give the maximum fine, but between $100 and $150," Reed said.

The second offense can amount to a $500 fine, plus the $50 court fee. Conviction would result in suspension of a driver's license for up to a year, Reed said.

In addition to following Pennsylvania laws, when an officer finds a minor on campus under the influence or in possession of alcohol, a summons is sent to the Office of Judicial Affairs, Reed said.

Once a case is submitted to judicial affairs, the complaint is reviewed to determine if it is legitimate, said Stephanie Barone, the assistant director of judicial affairs. If a legitimate case is found, the minor is appropriately charged with underage possession or consumption.

In the case of underage possession or consumption of alcohol, an administrative sanction is issued to the student, Barone said.

The sanction can result in anything from a warning to expulsion from the University, Reed said.

But according to Barone, judicial affairs considers the age and the way the minor cooperates with the police during the ordeal.

Although the student's records are not handed over to the state or local police because of the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act, minors found under the influence or in possession of alcohol must undergo punishment twice, once from the University and once from the government.

Laurel Cisko (senior-engineering) said she thinks the double penalty is questionable.

"I guess the University doesn't have a choice, they're expected to act that way, but in a way, (Pennsylvania laws) seem to be enough," she said.

But Jason Benton (freshman-engineering) said he agrees with the process.

"It's pretty fair, because we're college students and we are going to have more chances to drink," Benton said.