Thursday November 5, 2009 THIS ISSUE $2.5 million drug bust in Kutztown By Cara Meglio News News Editor Pages 1-4 An investigation that began in May of 2008 finally culminated on Monday, Nov. 2 with a bust of a multimillion-dollar drug Imma ring that included the arrest of two KU stu­ dents. I Blase Garrecht, a senior Business ma­ jor, and Joe Finocchio, a senior Criminal Justice major, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the drug ring that was re­ L A sponsible for transporting large quantities The Journal of Dracuia Studies, which of ecstasy and high-grade marijuana from has subscribers all over the world, is now New York to Easton. Garrecht and Finoc­ chio are accused of receiving the pot from based out of KU. other members of the ring and distributing Pages it to KU students. The ring is thought to have been headed by brothers Jerome, Ken- dell and Nolan Alexander and their mother Felician Edwards, according to a statement Opinions that a statewide grand jury released after hearing the evidence and testimony. Pages 5-6 According to a press release from At­ torney General Tom Corbett, the investiga­ tion began as a series of undercover mari­ juana purchases made on KU's campus from then-student Michael Puchyr after he was named by a confidential informant. Af­ ter the informant made multiple purchases from Puchyr that were observed and con­ firmed by investigating agents, Garrecht was discovered to be Puchyr s supplier. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau 50 Cent's new album is reviewed. of Narcotics Investigation and Drug Con­ Pages trol Unit (BNI) of the Pennsylvania Attor­ ney General's office. Puchyr testified to the grand jury that while he was dealing marijuana, he sold mainly to KU students and said that the de­ mand on campus for high-grade weed was Jordan Weagly, The Keystone "tremendous." (See IS KU A CANNABIS Culture Channel 69 News was on the scene outside of Sal's Pizza Roma Monday night CAMPUS? page 2) Pages 7-9 to report on the bust of a multimillion-dollar drug ring that included two KU With the help of two confidential infor­ students. Blase Garrecht and Joe Finocchio are accused of taking marijuana from mants who were not named in the jury's re­ a family-operated drug ring that moved large quantities of pot and Ecstasy from port, the BNI's investigation tracked the path New York to Easton, and then selling it to KU students. of the marijuana from Garrecht back to the Alexander brothers, who were also dealing Sales, as a front for receiving and transport­ of delivery of marijuana and one count of large quantities of ecstasy pills. The inves­ ing the marijuana, and laundering the profits criminal conspiracy. Finocchio is charged tigation revealed that the family was using through the company's checking accounts. their Easton business, known as 777 Auto Garrecht is charged with two counts See DRUG BUST, page 2 KUR is nominated for two Philadelphia Air Awards. Gen. Ed. changes mandated Page? By Christine Barnowsky pension of financial aid grants and federal and technological competency," as stated Staff Writer funding as cited by the report. under Standard 12 on the organization's Such a penalty, added Rich Pokrass, Web site. Sports A new general education program is director of Communications and Public Additionally, the new general educa­ Pages 10-12 slated to be implemented by August 2011, Relations at MSCHE, "could lead to a pub­ tion program is meant to enable a percep­ according to a report distributed to faculty lic disclosure statement on our Web site tible shared intellectual experience com­ by the university's General Education Task which is a flashing light for people that this mon to all students and facilitate ease in Force (GETF). school has some serious issues." the transfer of students within majors and The report says that initial concerns The GETF, composed of 13 elected colleges at the university, as stated in the about the general education program were administrative, faculty, and student repre­ report. expressed by Dr. Peter Bumham, Chair of sentatives, assembled in spring 2009, ex­ "The goal is one unified experience for Middle States Commission on Higher Edu­ amined the structure of general education students on campus no matter their major," cation (MSCHE) in a letter to President F. at the university and drafted a new pro­ said Daniel Walker, senior Business major, Javier Cevellos on June 27, 2008; among gram compliant with standards issued by student representative for the GETF, and the problems raised was the potential non­ MSCHE. Student Government Board president. The new program under faculty review Volleyball splits Halloween weekend compliance with MSCHE Standards 12 MSCHE requires that "the institu­ "General Education" and 14 "Assessment tion's curricula are designed so that stu­ suggests students complete both a core matchups. of Student Learning." dents acquire and demonstrate college- and electives curriculum totaling 24 credit Page 12 Failure to comply with standards man­ level proficiency in general education and hours. dated by MSCHE, the governing body that essential skills, including oral and written Students can expect a university core accredits universities, could result in pro­ communication, scientific and quantitative bation, meaning a loss of respect and sus­ reasoning, critical analysis and reasoning, See GEN. EDS., page 3 Fall 2009 Staff DRUG BUST. Editor in Chief: Tanya Hull (Continued from page 1) routinely work with other county- and fect other people. They put other students' Managing Editor: Josh Austin News Editor: Cara Meglio state-wide law enforcement agencies. "It is health and safety at risk." Asst. News Editor: Jordan Weagly with one count of criminal conspiracy. The better to be aggressive in enforcement to Watrous also expressed that he is Opinions Editor: Christopher Holland charges were pressed after a recommenda­ uncover these types of activities," he said. grateful for the arrest because it is "remov­ Culture Editor: Drew Simonovich tion made by the statewide grand jury. A Bob Watrous, associate vice president ing people from the environment who are Asst. Culture Editor: Alyssa Rohricht preliminary arraignment will be held by and dean of Student Services and Campus preying on other students with illegal ac­ Sports Editor: Brenton Walcoff Fleetwood Magisterial District Judge Gail Life, said in an interview that after the trial, tions." Business Manager: Eric Nikles Greth, and the case will be prosecuted in Garrecht and Finocchio will face conse­ Kutztown Borough police were not in­ Copy and Line Editor: Christopher Dilts the Berks County Courts. quences from the university, since the pos­ volved in the investigation. Chief of PoUce Asst. Copy & Line Editor: ...Julie Mokrzycki Sean Dallas, assistant director of session, use, and sale of drugs are all viola­ Craig Summers told The Keystone in a phone Photography Editor: William Gilles Advertising Manager: Brendan O'Hara University Relations, told The Keystone, tions of the university code of conduct. He interview that they were aware of what was Web Manager: Wim Mulder "The university appreciates the effort of said that in similar scenarios in the past happening but said, "It wasn't our investiga­ the attorney general's office, our campus where students have been prosecuted for tion." Borough pohce forces were not pres­ Advisor Dr Matthew Nesvisky police department, district attorney staff, violations of law, the university has held re­ ent at Garrecht and Finocchio's arrests. and other law enforcement agencies who views to determine whether the perpetra­ Repeated attempts made by The Key­ Editorial Policies helped bring the perpetrators to justice... tors would be allowed to remain students stone to contact representatives of the Dis­ The Keystone is distributed every Thursday during the academic year by the student newspaper staff We are cooperating with the investigating at KU. "The outcome has generally been ei­ trict Attorney's office were unsuccessful. of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. The edi­ authorities and will continue to do so." ther suspension or expulsion," he said. "It's Check www.keystoneonline.com and fu­ tors reserve the right to edit all material for length Dallas said that campus police based on the principle that illicit actions af­ ture issues for updates. and content according to the adopted pohcy of this publication and the decisions of the editorial board. Editorials and/or materials for publication may be submitted by students, faculty, staff, administration and community members. Opinions expressed in editorials, letters to the editor or opinion pieces are Is KU a 'Cannabis Campus?' not necessarily those of The Keystone or Kutztown University. Materials for publication should be By Josh Austin don't know the extent," stated Demetor. ogy major, does not smoke pot but thinks sent to The Keystone, Student Union Building rm. 194, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA 19530, or Managing Editor One organization on campus that that KU is a weed-friendly school. brought to the office by 5 p.m. on the Friday before Additional reporting by Cara Meglio works to educate students on the risks of *Tl is very easy to obtain," she said. publication. There is also a mail drop at the Infor­ News Editor drugs and alcohol is the President's Round "Most of my neighbors smoke, so if I ever mation Desk in the Student Union. All stories and Table on Alcohol iind Other Drugs. wanted to I could walk like 20 feet and letters must be typed and include author's name, address and phone number for clarification purpos­ After the drug ring bust that occurred Mary Gutekunst, executive direc|E>r of smoke," she said. es. Any submitted material that the author wishes this past Tuesday (see above article), many Health and Wellness Services and coordi­ However, she says she doesn't mind to withdraw from publication will be guaranteed to people are questioning how prevalent mar­ nator of the Round Table, stated that %i~ being in the minority as a non-smoker.