Richard Harrison, Ohio University's assistant dean for student affairs development, was arrested Saturday and charged with disorderly conduct and possession of cocaine.
Harrison was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in front of The Crystal, 34 N. Court Street. When he was taken to jail and searched, officers found a bag of what appeared to be cocaine in his right shoe, said Charles Haegle, Athens Police Department officer.
After he was arrested Saturday, Harrison was released on a $5,000 bond, according to court records.
Harrison appeared in Athens City Municipal Court yesterday afternoon. Because Harrison is facing a felony charge, he did not enter a plea, according to court records. Possession of cocaine is a fifth-degree felony, which is punishable by up to a year in prison and a $2,500 dollar fine, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
Harrsion's charge has not yet affected his employment at OU.
"OU is aware of the allegations against Mr. Harrison," said OU spokesman Jack Jeffery. "We will take appropriate time to review the charges."
The assistant dean for student affairs development works "to ID and encourage private support for various student activities," Jeffery said. It is mainly a fundraising position.
Harrison also serves as the adviser to the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.
"He's a great adviser, and he's been a great adviser to Phi Kappa Tau," said Matthew Crumpton, OU senior and fraternity president. "We're going to stand by him. It's a difficult time, but we're going to hope for the best."
His preliminary hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6, according to court records.
Harrison, Michael Sostarich, OU vice president for student affairs; and Gary North, OU vice president for administration and finance could not be reached for comment.
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