OXFORD, OHIO Salem grad now knows the price of pranks

This student is trying to raise money through his Web site.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
OXFORD, Ohio -- "Do not send fake e-mails to everyone at your college!" Ben Field warns in bold, red letters at the top of his Web page.
In between job searches, working two jobs and studying, Field, a 22-year-old computer science major at Miami University, is designing Web sites for Oxford nonprofit organizations and trying to raise $9,030.
Field, a 1999 Salem High School graduate, will have to sell quite a few T-shirts, mouse pads and bumper stickers from his Web site -- www.smat.com -- to come up with the money. He's paying back his parents for a $1,200 fine and legal fees.
"My name is Ben. I owe my parents $9,030," Field states. "A couple months ago, I sent a fake email to all 31,000 people at my college. I said I was the university president and I was canceling classes for Green Beer Day. This was a mistake. I got caught, and as it turns out, attorneys are really expensive."
Punishment
Field was charged with unauthorized use of a computer, which could have resulted in a $2,500 fine, a year in jail, and dismissal from school. Instead he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, attempted unauthorized use of a computer. He is serving also 200 hours of community service and one year of probation.
Field explained that Green Beer Day, although not sanctioned by the university, is a spring break tradition at Miami. On the day before spring break, many students skip classes to spend the day drinking green beer at area off-campus pubs.
"They'll come to class inebriated or not at all," he said. "Some professors accept there's not going to be a lot accomplished. Others try to discourage it by scheduling tests that day."
Green Beer Day was March 6 this year. It didn't take authorities long to trace the e-mails to Field. He pleaded guilty March 13.
Started Web site
He waited awhile, then launched the Web site. It took about three hours to design the site where he offers items for sale and asks people to send $1 or $2 donations.
Although his site has been viewed by thousands of people, he's raised just $76 since he started it May 16. Miami University President Jim Garland recently made a $10 donation.
Field said although he hoped for more response, he's grateful for the $76. It's more than one of his two jobs pays.
He said his parents were supportive throughout all the legal processing, but once everything calmed down, "they kinda yelled at me," Field said.