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Bucknell Students Sue Over 2012 Residence Searches

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A federal lawsuit by six current and former Bucknell University students claims searches of a fraternity and another residential building early last year violated constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure.

Mechanicsburg attorney Devon Jacob said Friday the searches were illegal and conducted under a policy the school has maintained for decades.

The lawsuit says the February 2012 searches by university police and personnel from two local sheriff's offices turned up a small amount of marijuana and smoking paraphernalia. It says some students were disciplined as a result.

A university spokesman in Lewisburg says the lawsuit's claims are baseless and they intend to dispute them in court. The defendants include top administrators and Montour and Union counties.

The lawsuit seeks damages and a declaration that their rights were violated.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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