Posted on 10/13/2001 8:16:23 PM PDT by blam
Student says USA expelled him because he was potential terrorist
University officials deny report, saying, 'We don't have that many terrorists from Norway'
10/13/01
By BILL BARROW
Staff Reporter
A Norwegian newspaper reported Friday that the University of South Alabama expelled one of its international students because he was a potential terrorist.
USA officials, however, deny the charge, saying it came from a student who had merely been suspended by a campus disciplinary committee for a history of discipline problems that began well before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"Obviously, we don't have that many terrorists from Norway," said Keith Ayers, USA spokesman.
In Friday's edition of the Aftenposten, a daily newspaper in Norway, a story appeared with the story of USA student Kristoffer Larsgard, 22, a biochemistry major from Oslo.
Larsgard told the newspaper he was expelled from the 12,000-student, Mobile school because officials thought he was a threat to distribute biological or chemical warfare. "Apparently, the university no longer wants foreign students in the biochemistry department, where they have easy access to bacteria that could be used as terrorist weapons," the story said. "Larsgard was told the university was worried he might be try to contaminate the drinking water."
It continued: "The college has cited a parking fine and breach of peace offense in which Larsgard was acquitted as evidence that the student could be dangerous."
Larsgard has studied at USA since 1997. During his time there, school officials said, he has compiled an exemplary academic record, but has also amassed a disciplinary record as well.
According to Ayers, however, Larsgard was suspended, not expelled, from USA until next summer term by the Student Discipline Committee, comprising one faculty member and at least four students. Ayers said Larsgard went before the disciplinary board "because he has on several occasions presented himself as a threat to himself and others."
Citing student privacy laws, Ayers said he could not release details of Larsgard's record or the case that led to his suspension. But, he added, all relevant offenses occurred before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in which four commercial airliners were hijacked, with two striking New York's World Trade Center, one striking the Pentagon, and the fourth crashing in Pennsylvania.
The committee meets as needed, this time in late September, just days after the attacks. Its decisions can be appealed to Dale Adams, vice president for student affairs.
USA's Ayers said he received a call from an Aftenposten reporter before the story appeared today. His comments, however, are not found in the report.
"What we have done is called the newspaper and asked they not print any more erroneous information," he said.
Stay home foreigners, get a clue, we don't want you!
We do have a bunch of leftists from everywhere, unfortunately. Larsgard is probably out faking an anti-Norwegian hate crime this very minute.
Makes me proud of my home state! Stop the PC crap and eliminate the threat.
Yeah them Norwegians are sneaky ....
He must have had one of those anti-aircraft fully automatic moose biter assualt ruminants.
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