The following is a statement from San Diego State University Alumni Association president Bill Trumpfheller:

This week San Diego State University has directly confronted one of the most serious issues facing college campuses throughout the country and, indeed, contemporary society; illegal drug trafficking. As you may have read in your newspaper or seen in reports broadcast nationally and internationally, dozens of students have been among those arrested so far and drugs, weapons, and cash were recovered as the result of a year-long drug investigation initiated by campus police.

The investigation targeted individuals suspected of selling illegal drugs to SDSU students. It was launched 12 months ago following the death of a 19-year-old woman. SDSU has suspended each of those students arrested for felonies as part of this investigation pending a due-process review.

In addressing the circumstances surrounding the investigation and arrests, President Weber commended the work of SDSU police and expressed his gratitude to the agencies and individuals who supported their efforts. As the president rightly pointed out, the health and safety of the campus community is the university’s highest priority. Turning a blind eye to drug trafficking is inconsistent with that priority. SDSU has taken appropriate action.

President Weber should be applauded for his leadership role in eliminating dangerous threats to the campus community. SDSU Police Chief John Browning and his entire department are to be congratulated for initiating the effort to make the campus safer.

Once again SDSU has distinguished itself as a national leader by taking on a discouraging challenge that others have chosen to ignore or fear to confront. I fully support the administration in pursuing this difficult course toward maintaining the finest educational environment anywhere.

Bill Trumpfheller
SDSU Alumni Association President