UMass Students Head To Court After Rowdy Parties

About two dozen of the more than 70 students charged in connection with a series of pre-St. Patrick's Day parties at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst have been arraigned.

The students, many wearing jackets and ties or dresses, were arraigned Monday in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown on charges from failing to disperse, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and being a minor in possession of alcohol.

Police say more than 70 students face charges in connection with the "Blarney Blowout" parties Saturday and Sunday. About 50 students were taken into custody while 20 or so received a court summons.

Police in riot gear used tear gas to break up gatherings of drunken and rowdy students, some of whom hurled bottles and snowballs at police.