Punishment needed

If you act like an idiot, you should be treated like an idiot. That's the new policy the University of Maryland implemented after post-NCAA championship riots. If any Maryland student is caught being disruptive (i.e. rioting) on the University's campus the main punishment for those actions is expulsion. While expulsion is a bit harsh, the basic idea of the new rule is a good one. IU's policy is geared in the same direction for unruly students, but the standards are held to students off campus as well as on, and, thankfully, Dean of Students Richard McKaig said expulsion is rare. \nBut the IU policy is the right one. Just because students may leave campus and cause havoc in any way they see fit doesn't mean they should be void of all the responsibilities of being an IU representative. We punish our athletes if they break any laws because they are representatives of the University on and off the field, so why should any other student be held to a lower standard? \nWhen a prospective student agrees to come to IU, they agree to follow the student code of conduct -- no exceptions. That doesn't mean that if you're living in an apartment off campus and you decide it's a good idea to tip over a Volvo after the men's basketball team beats Athletes In Action, you're exempt from University punishment because it wasn't in Myles Brand's driveway. The University has the right to expect decent behavior from its students on and off campus. If you don't like it, try another school. \nBut you might want to avoid Maryland.