Two Western Maryland College students were arrested last night when state and Westminster police tried to disperse a crowd of 300 revelers -- many of whom police believe had been drinking -- who refused to leave the "quad" after an annual spring festival on the campus.

Lynda Oxley, 20, was charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after she allegedly kicked a police dog during the confrontation.

Shawn Healey, 21, was charged with failing to obey police orders. Both were awaiting bail hearings last night.

"I can't remember when we have had a disturbance like this in recent times," said Joyce Muller, director of public information at the college.

"This was no big deal," said Jeff Ciesla, a junior from New Jersey. "It's wrong to call it a riot. It's just a minor setback and we're going to party on."

Police were called early last night to the campus to help break up a gathering of 300 students.

"There were bottles being thrown, and there had already been several fights due to the number of intoxicated students out there," said Lt. Dean Brewer of the Westminster City police. "We asked the students to disperse. Some left, but most did not."

City police then called for reinforcements in riot gear and state police, Brewer said. But when rain began to fall, the remaining students dispersed. "Everything settled down pretty quickly," Brewer said.

Pub Date: 5/03/98