Aside from the legal aspect, they should face whatever penalty the University would levy against a non-athlete for an equal offense. If they don't allow re-admission to the University to any students guilty of an equal infraction, so be it.
Obviously, their re-admission to the University would hinge on whether or not Beamer wants them back on the team. I don't think the nature of this offense (based on the limited info we have) absolutely necessitates permanent dismissal from the team. I would be satisfied with re-admission and a 6-8 game suspension, though a suspension may not mean much for true freshman who may not have played much anyway. Beamer may very well decide it's not worth risking upsetting the culture he's building, though he could probably vet them and their families and former coaches thoroughly and try to discern if it really was just an incredibly stupid thing they did and they seemed to learn a lesson, or if they lack remorse. If they seem genuinely remorseful and the incident is out of character based on what their families and coaches say, I'd be inclined to offer a second opportunity.
From the Student Handbook that is online:
Here are the Weapons, dropping items out of windows, false statements defined in the Handbook. These were the charges listed by the police in the news report
It also states the university could make their finding before or after the off campus authorities. The Handbook does not list the punishments for these offenses
D. Weapons
Prohibited behaviors include unauthorized possession of weapons including firearms or weapons of any kind including but not limited to knives, slingshots, metal knuckles, razors, paintball guns, BB guns, and air pistols; even if permitted by law. Authorization for possession of a firearm on campus or in campus controlled facilities is only available from the university president or designee.
F. Disruptive Activity Prohibited behaviors include:
1. Interfering with or disrupting the normal activity and operations of the university or its educational mission, programs, or events
2. Conduct that causes or provokes a disturbance that disrupts the academic pursuits of others
3. Behavior in a classroom or instructional program that interferes with the instructor or presenter's ability to conduct the class or program, or the ability of others to profit from the class or program
4. Intentional obstruction which unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement (including but not limited to pedestrian or vehicular obstruction)
5. Throwing or dropping objects or substances out of buildings.
6. Non-compliance with reasonable time, place, or manner restrictions on expression.
7. Failure to leave immediately when asked to disperse by university or law enforcement officials.
I. Compliance with General Laws and Arrests
1. Violations of any federal, state, or local laws may be subject to disciplinary action. A disciplinary action imposed by the University may precede and/or be in addition to any penalty imposed by an off-campus authority.
2. Arrests by law enforcement agencies outside of USC’s Division of Law Enforcement and Safety must be reported by the student to the Office of Student Conduct within 72 hours of arrest.
J. Dishonesty and Theft
Prohibited behaviors include:
1. Theft of any kind, including seizing, receiving, or concealing property with knowledge that it has been stolen
2. Sale, possession, or misappropriation of any property or services without the owner's permission
3. The sale of a textbook by any student who does not own the book
4. Dishonest or fraudulent behavior in any oral or written transaction with the
university
5. Dishonesty or misrepresenting the truth before a hearing of the University, or
furnishing false information or withholding information to any university official
which interferes with university processes or procedures
6. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any document, record, or officially issued
identification information from University processes and/or officials
K. Misuse of Identification or University Resources
