WRAL is reporting that Duke University has offered indicted lacrosse players Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty reinstatement to the university:

Two defendants in the Duke lacrosse case have been offered reinstatement as Duke students in good standing, according to one’s mother and the other’s attorney.

If that’s true, coming as this offer does before the Feb. 5 hearing, then Duke’s fair-weather administration must feel that these charges are going to be dropped. I, for one, hope it’s all a done deal before lacrosse season starts so I can see those guys out on the field in 2007, but that may be rushing things.

WRAL says the Seligmanns are considering the offer but the Finnertys aren’t sure yet. I’d bet that Collin will come back, however, after reading his comments in the Raleigh Metro Magazine interview by Sharon Swanson. She asked Collin’s dad about it:

I asked Kevin how he would feel about Collin going back to Duke, given a favorable outcome at the trial. Mary Ellen and I had talked about it earlier. She knows that this is what her son wants. Admitting this was the only time she cried throughout the afternoon. “I’d be afraid for his safety,” she said.

“Collin has said that his friends are at Duke,” said Kevin. “If he goes back, they are the only ones who understand this story completely. Collin has said, ‘If I go to another school, I’ll be that kid from Duke. The rapist.’”

UPDATE: The N&O also has the story. They quote Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs, who makes it clear they ARE talking about this spring (emphasis added):

“As circumstances have evolved in this extraordinary case, we have attempted to balance recognition of the gravity of legal charges with the presumption of your innocence. Now with the approach of a new term, we believe that circumstances warrant that we strike this balance differently.”

The letter was released by Seligmann’s lawyers.

Duke officials offered the former players academic advising and help with making arrangements for housing, either on or off campus. “Reade, it is my sincere hope that you will choose to return for the spring semester,” Moneta wrote. “Please let me know how I may support you during this time.”

I see the fine hand of Duke Information Minister John Burness in this. I think he has finally gotten the ivory-towered academic nitwits in charge to listen to him. Good going, John.