Citizens should aid investigations

I am writing in response to the Exponent letter to the editor from Maarten Rothman, published on April 18. In his comments, Mr. Rothman opines that the University, in offering $5,000 in reward for information, contradicts University goals. He somehow concludes that encouraging students to come forward with information concerning legal investigations undermines his secondary educational goals of helping his students build character. Mr. Rothman, I think that you are completely missing the point. In fact, it is a mature citizen's duty to support law enforcement efforts to solve and prosecute crimes. If one has information that would benefit an investigation, but fails to supply that information, that person is aiding and abetting the commission of the crime. That you are a graduate teaching assistant, and fail to recognize that fact, is disturbing. You state that the offering of the reward is "in direct contradiction to the educational mission of Purdue." In one sense, I agree with you. That is, the University should not have to offer a reward of $5,000 in order to entice students to come forward with information. They should do it on their own, without consideration of reward.

Lee Scoggins
Purdue Alumna

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Citizens should aid investigations

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