Why is it okay to pepper spray students?

UPDATED: Police Pepper-Spray Santa Monica College Students Mobs of students disrupt a Board of Trustees meeting upset over a highly controversial plan to offer pricier classes. Trustee calls the use of pepper spray a "black eye" on the college. Administrators will launch an investigation. From Santa Monica Patch: http://santamonica.patch.com/articles/police-pepper-spray-smc-students#video-9491962