In the wake of an April house party, a Hartwick College fraternity is in danger of losing its special-use permit from the city of Oneonta. The incident prompted city Code Enforcement Officer Peter Friedman to suggest that the city essentially throw the bums out, (our words, not his).

We can understand the impulse for the city to wash its hands of the frustrating business of overseeing Greek housing. But if the city decided to "close the door," as Friedman suggested, would this really solve anything?

Students would still pack into houses and apartments for parties. There would still be noise complaints, concerns about overcrowding and other risks, and all the reasons cited for doing away with off-campus Greek housing.

Meanwhile, the city would have thrown the baby out with the bath water by banning all Greek organizations, including those that have been following the rules and contributing to their community with service projects and other outreach activities.

In addition, by doing away with the special-use permitting process, a layer of oversight would be removed for these groups, which would doubtless continue to exist in an unofficial capacity. This could put Oneonta back to the way it was eight or 10 years ago, when unauthorized fraternities were equated to gangs. Is that really what the city wants?

The city should punish those who break its regulations, without a doubt. But it would be a shame to punish the ones that are following the rules as well.

Miller will be hard to replace

When Hartwick College hired Richard Miller as its president four years ago, it got just what it was looking for.

Financially challenged Hartwick needed a rainmaker more than an academician, and Dick Miller has more than adequately filled that bill.

He paid a few bills, too.

Miller, who last week said that he would be retiring at the end of the 2007-08 academic year, has helped the liberal arts college improve its solvency.

Along with raises for the faculty, there were new academic and administrative buildings made possible by a $5 million gift from B. Thomas Golisano, a friend of Miller’s.

Almost equally important has been Miller’s ebullient demeanor and can-do attitude.

"In four short years, (Miller) has brought stability, energy and a positive outlook to Oyaron Hill," said Karl Mosch, chairman of the Hartwick College Board of Trustees.

"His leadership has helped propel us all ahead in our ambitions and belief in the possibilities for Hartwick’s future."

So now Hartwick is faced with a choice. Does it go for another rainmaker, someone who will continue Miller’s fundraising efforts? Or does it lean toward a president whose main emphasis will be academics?

It would be wonderful, of course, if there were one person with both talents. But given how shaky Hartwick’s financial situation was four years ago, several more years of a rainmaking president is probably the way to go.

Miller will be on the job for another year, but the search for his replacement will begin immediately.

The only thing certain right now is that he will be a tough person to replace.