With all of our busy schedules full of classes, athletics, meetings, and socializing, it often appears that one day blurs into the next. As time passes, week after week piling on top of each other leaving a heap of vague and hazy memories, it sometimes becomes difficult to see the many changes around us. The world appears static, cold, and unchanging to many who have no time to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives to actually observe a directed effort to make our world community a better place.

The media is always quick to claim that the average American, especially youth, are lazy and apathetic. They claim that society is in a downward spiral with no hope in sight. There are very few stories reported in the press or on television that show the positive impact that some individuals and organizations are having in our day to day lives to foster a stronger sense of community. Clarkson's administration and students are attempting, with varying degrees of success so far, to remedy a few of the largest problems on our campus.

In the past, some students have made drinking at frat parties their main recreation. Freshmen have always been known for their partying abilities, but this year has brought some shocking changes - fraternities are turning away freshman. The main reason for this drastic change compared with years past may be that they do not want their houses shut down by the new task force, but it doesn't matter. Whatever the motivation, the fact remains that students are being forced to find alternative recreational activities other than drinking at the frat parties.

The frats themselves are having less parties involving alcohol. Instead of having their weekly parties, they are now sponsoring other events like softball and wiffle ball games. This is a step in the right direction for fraternities, moving back to the original intent of their organizations, brotherhood. No longer are they places of people getting together just to get drunk, they are places where members can get together and enjoy activities that do not require alcohol.

Not only are the fraternities taking responsibility, but the residence life office has made it clear that illegal drinking on campus will not be tolerated. While this will definitely disappoint a large number of people, it may also open their eyes to the other forms of entertainment on campus. For the month of September, residence life is offering a substance-free activity each weekend as an alternative to the drinking scene. "Jimmy Buffett Night" wasn't exactly a wild, raging party (Perhaps Jimmy Buffett was not the best choice), but those who attended had a good time listening to music and kicking around beach balls with their friends. More importantly, they were able to have a good time without being inebriated. Hopefully, more students will start taking advantage of the substance-free activities such as the luau this weekend, complete with leis (the little flower necklaces) and perhaps even a live band. These changes on campus, by both fraternities and college officials, are definitely aiming in the right direction.

Underage drinking is not the only illegal activity on campus that is being scrutinized. Computer network users will also notice some changes in the near future. Some will probably resent the changes, but they truly are for the better. These changes will affect the policies regarding illegal software piracy and computer "hacking." In the past, students have been able to share their hard drives and pass software around to friends down the hall and across the country. This would be perfectly legal, if all they shared were free programs. When they begin passing around versions of expensive software that are registered to other people or cracked, they are breaking the law.

The policy-makers at the ERC have decided that this blatantly illegal activity should stop, and are apparently contemplating a heavy fine for anyone caught sharing or selling copyrighted software. In some cases, expulsion may be the recommended punishment for abusing the Clarkson network. Other changes will become evident soon, such as new security measures, forced password changes, and a crackdown on computer "hackers" campus wide. If you're doing something shady, now would be a good time to stop. If you are unsure, contact the ERC and they will let you know if you are breaking a regulation. These new policies and attempts at reform by Clarkson's organizations will most likely be met with much resistance. Although these new policies and programs are intended to improve life on the Clarkson campus, many may see them as an attempt to limit individual freedoms. Some may choose not to recognize it, but these organizations should be commended for their actions.

College may be a place for learning Calculus and Concrete Analysis, but it is also the intermediate step between a 'youthful offender' and a 'criminal.' The same crimes committed before you come to college and penalized with a slap on the wrist are penalized with a jail term once you graduate from college. If this University always ignored illegal activities it would be doing its students a disservice. We, as a student body, must grow up and realize that the college is not a shelter for criminals.