With a few days remaining until one of Virginia State’s most sought-after events: Homecoming 2011, the University began the week with troubling news.

Virginia State’s dormitories were investigated for marijuana Petersburg, VA .Virginia State University Police, alongside officers from Chesterfield, Colonial Heights and Virginia State Police agencies, conducted a drug sweep in the Quad, Moore, and Williams residence halls of Virginia State University.

More than 12 police vehicles were called in to investigate the drug raid. VSU officials are believed to have conducted the drug sweep out of a recent “uptick in judicial affairs activity involving drugs.”

Two students were arrested and will most likely face disciplinary actions proceeding from the university in addition to the criminal charges. Tom Reed, the University’s spokesman, said “We want to reinforce [that] we are zero tolerance campus.” Although rumors of 32 pounds of marijuana being confiscated erupted after the drug sweep, the two students were only charged for possession of marijuana with no current felonies pending.

According to Virginia State’s Alcohol/Substance Abuse Policy, the university recognizes substance abuse as a prevalent social issue and accepts its role and responsibility in helping to find solutions to this problem. The university is dedicated to the education of students and employees about the risks associated with the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Founded in 1882 as the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, and widely known as the first fully state supported four-year institution of higher learning for Blacks in America, Virginia State University recently attempted to “sweep away” its issues concerning drugs, along with reinforcing its zero tolerance course of action.