Written by Julia Fawal
The most telling fact about Campus Safety is that many of the officers treat Rhodes students as if they were their own children. That means that the CS officers are there to prevent alcohol poisoning, assist if help is needed, and also to be your friend and listen if you need an open ear. Their main goal is to make sure no one is putting themselves or others in danger, but they also do their best to allow students to have some fun. A CS officer usually shows up at every fraternity party, but, unless you are being blatant and irresponsible about your drinking, he won't write you up. Occasionally, an underage student will be asked to put his or her drink down, but that's about it. The officers get that the students are in college, and they're not going to act like Nazis or Big Brother, and try to get everyone in trouble. That's not to say that no one ever gets in trouble—if students are being stupid and putting themselves or others in danger, there are legitimate consequences. But Campus Safety officers do their job very well, and the students really appreciate them for it.
Rhodes is strict about attendance, though. Each professor has a clear policy that is stated in the syllabus, and it is typically enforced. Usually, a student can't miss more than four class periods over the semester without receiving a grade deduction. That being said, professors are understanding, and it's not uncommon for them to bend the rules under specific circumstances provided that the student directly discusses issues with them. What seems to be the major theme of Rhodes is that the authority members on campus are very understanding and caring people, and that paves the way for a better academic and social environment.