Janet, you’re right that it’s the responsibility of the individual, no question. I think that’s something that’s changed since I went to college. We never saw parents on campus except on the first day of school and football weekends. These days, college administrators complain about “helicopter parents” who show up to complain if their teen didn’t get into the class they wanted. But I do believe there’s plenty a college can and should do when it comes to illegal activities.

I really do feel that it’s the responsibility of the individual to make wise choices and not become involved in the bad stuff that permeates most communities. College provides the first taste of independence for many young adults and the sheer freedom of choice makes it easy to do stupid things. As a parent I think it’s my responsibility to help them gain independence throughout their adolescence so that they’re used to making choices long before they’re old enough to live on their own. A certain recipe for disaster is to keep young people under your “rule” and then turn them loose on the world one day.