The University’s response to the robbery that took place three weeks ago was the following: “Any student charged with a felony may be immediately suspended if the incident is viewed as a danger to the community.”

Allow me to be the first to voice my opinion that, certainly, these people are a danger to our community. Believe what you want about the “war on drugs,” but when drug-related violence comes into play on private university property, a zero-tolerance policy should be enforced. Not only should each of the five students involved be permanently expelled, they should be banned from campus in every capacity. Anything less would be an open invitation to violence.

When I was a freshman resident student, there was a group of guys who were selling drugs out of their nearby room. We all knew about it, but we didn’t think there was anything we could do-Public Safety responded to calls about them weekly, which should have been enough. As far as I know, they’re all still active University students. Didn’t Public Safety, or either of our building’s two resident assistants, have the slightest clue what was going on? Why didn’t they press the matter?

Stricter policies must be adopted, and quickly. The resident assistant of a freshmen-only dorm was a legitimate drug dealer, and he attracted violence to himself and to every student living in his dormitory (more specifically, an innocent suitemate). University residents currently have little reason to feel safe

In order to gain access to a dorm, one must have only the appropriate HofstraCard. He or she is then able to enter, regardless of possession of pellet guns, shotguns, knives, bombs, whatever. The current system is too light, but the idea of metal detectors makes everyone uncomfortable. Yet, with serious crime threats both on and off campus, metal detectors are seeming not only appropriate, but increasingly necessary. The usefulness of the Campus Alert Notification Network (which was not utilized in this situation) is suspect-a text message is not faster than a speeding bullet. What are we going to do to seriously improve security? I don’t have the answer, but something has got to change.

This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and it won’t be the last. We need to examine and perhaps rethink our current security methods immediately. We need to follow up on any leads that a student is involved in the trade of illegal drugs on campus (or off for that matter), and we need to eradicate these threats swiftly and without discrimination. The same goes for any student known to be in possession of a dangerous weapon. And, finally, we need to keep a closer eye on who we employ, especially in regards to Residential Programs.

Mike DiNicola is a junior English and creative writing student.