Purdue students disciplined for child porn

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University has disciplined eight students for downloading child pornography over the school's computer network, while clearing three others of any wrongdoing.\n"No criminal charges have been filed against these students, but the university's code of conduct necessitated that we review each of these allegations," Dean of Students L. Tony Hawkins said in a statement issued Wednesday. "Any illegal or inappropriate use of the university's computing network is something we take seriously."\nPurdue police began an investigation of 17 students last month in connection with possession of child pornography obtained from the Internet. Hawkins said he did not have sufficient evidence to warrant hearings for six of them.\nOf the others, charges were dismissed against three; three others were suspended from the university; two received probationary suspensions, meaning they were granted conditional student status and may return to full status if they do not violate university policies during the probationary period; and three received disciplinary probation.\nThe lengths of the suspensions and probationary periods were not disclosed.