This week, the administration announced that the 75-80 students identified in the Quad incident will pay either $100 or commit to 15 hours of community service. We feel that the administration pursued a just punishment in light of the over $8,000 in damages that was done to the Quad. Although many students protest that the quad wasn't destroyed with malicious intent, the fact remains that damages were done and someone must be held responsible.
Another protest is that it is difficult to identify the perpetrators of the Quad incident because many people were dirty from the muddy conditions around the campus. While this is a valid point, it is really a minor one because there's a difference between a student with muddy shoes and a student who is completely caked in mud. There is also a difference between a student who cleans up before entering a communal living environment and a student who fails to consider his or her fellow students. Furthermore, in the spirit of equal responsibility, it is essential that those who caused the most damage must pay the most to fix the damage. This also brings up the problem of identification.
One rumor going around campus is that students were identified by the webcam positioned on the third floor of Bender Library. Any student who goes to my.american.edu can plainly see that the webcam has extremely limited range and clarity. It's limited view would also be exacerbated by the hurricane and students covered in mud.
Students who received letters from the administration were identified several ways. The first was through witnesses, the second was through University staffers such as Resident Assistants and students working the residence hall desks, and the third was through students who turned themselves in. We realize that although it is sometimes difficult to admit one's wrongdoing or culpability, especially in respect to certain punishment, the students who turned themselves in did the right thing for them and the right thing for their fellow students.
Currently, the administration is investigating not only students but also staffers of the University. This includes Resident Assistants, student University staff and Public Safety. Since the staff of the school is more responsible for its maintenance and proper function, we hope that they also receive an adequate and measured punishment.