School of Law Dean Peter Alexander this week overturned the suspensions of two freshmen who were among nine students barred from the university after an on-campus attack in early October.

Aric Anthony, who was suspended for two years, and Charles Gill, who was suspended for one year, are now clear of the Student Conduct Code violations that Student Judicial Affairs charged them with between Oct. 12 and Oct. 18.

Gill’s suspension was overturned on Monday and Anthony’s on Tuesday. The reasons for the overturned suspensions are unclear because Gill did not want to comment and a phone number was unavailable for Anthony.

The two are part of a group of nine students appealing suspensions and bans from campus because of their alleged involvement in the Oct. 6 attack on a sophomore near the Recreation Center.

University charges against the students included physical abuse, violent behavior, disorderly conduct and not intervening in the fight or alerting authorities. All of the students said they witnessed the altercation but were not involved in it otherwise.

Appeals hearings have not been set up for freshmen Derrick Reese Jr., Vincent Mack, Reshaun Scott, DeShaun McGee, Christian Jennings, Timothy Hart and Brandon Gaines. Reese is the only one in the group facing criminal charges.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Larry Dietz said he could not speak specifically about the students’ appeals because they have not received a letter from Alexander detailing his ruling from the hearing.

Dietz, speaking hypothetically, said suspended students who successfully appeal are allowed back onto campus and into classes at the discretion of the appeals hearing officer. Successful appeals also expunge reprimands from students’ transcripts. Dietz has said professors can decide whether to allow previously suspended students to make up missed work.

All nine students were served with “interim separation” notices on Oct. 9 that temporarily removed them from campus. University officials use interim separations to ban from the university those students who are deemed a threat to others at SIUC.

Authorities criminally charged one of the students, Reese Jr., with mob action, robbery and aggravated assault. The victim suffered facial and head injuries during the assault and was robbed of between $90 and $100, according to the police report.

Derrick Reese Sr., who holds two law degrees, is advising the students during their appeals. Reese Sr. is a 1984 SIUC alumnus and has practiced law in the Chicago area, but his license is currently suspended, according to the Illinois Supreme Court Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

He said Anthony would be allowed to return to class in January, and Gill remains in school. On Oct. 13, Gill’s “interim separation” was overturned, allowing him to return to campus. He was suspended for one year less than a week later but remained in class as his appeal was pending.

Brandon Weisenberger can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 254 or [email protected].