The student body seems well aware of the College's rather lax enforcement of rules. Whether these rules concern academic or social responsibilities, the College demands a minimal level of discipline from its students that it then does little to enforce.

For instance, obtaining extensions on papers is not difficult at all; students have long ago learned not to fear punitive grades on assignments passed in sometimes long after the deadline. More infamous is perhaps the school's extremely lenient alcohol and drug policy.

Though the College often fails to enforce the existing rules that govern student behavior in both academics and in the community, this permissive situation has never been a major problem-and continues to be appreciated by students-until recently. It is not hard to believe that the notorious leniency on enforcing such rules might have some correlation with the recent insurgence of serious crimes on campus (i.e. ambulance joyride, statue vandalism, stolen projector).

At what point should the campus police allow town police to step in? Well, if there is a clear victim in the crime committed, the town police should become involved. The town should also intervene if a crime involves a serious wrong committed against the community as a whole.

The College should set clear guidelines as to what sorts of offenses will be grave enough to warrant being turned over to the town police and no longer remain under the jurisdiction of the campus police. More importantly, they should make such guidelines, as well as other information about law enforcement on campus, more available to the college community.

Campus police should publicize as much information as they can, perhaps in the form of mailings. In the case that the punishment for a particular crime has been determined, the entire campus should be notified of the punishment. Such a system would inform everyone that the campus police department is backing up their word and would also provide an example to hinder further violations.