There’s also a lawsuit against the city from landlord Mike Doherty Sr., who claims city officials illegally searched the mailboxes of local residents.

It’s obviously bad that allegations of city workers going through students’ mail exist at all. What’s worse is that it allegedly has been happening since at least September 2009, according to email obtained by The State News. And the worst part is the East Lansing City Council knew about this alleged misconduct in 2009 and has taken no steps to resolve the issue.

Instead of investigating the claims, Assistant City Attorney Tom Yeadon told The State News the city plans to dismiss the case the instant it is brought to Ingham County’s 30th Judicial Circuit Court on Nov. 23. So far, the East Lansing City Council has been dismissive of this issue, which could drive student-city relations backward.

Students already feel pressure from permanent residents of East Lansing. Now they might also have to worry about city employees going through their mail trying to find evidence of illegal actions.

Students should be assured that someone is taking this alleged misconduct on. Students already don’t have the time nor money to pursue an accusation like this in court, and perhaps that is what these city employees are counting on when they allegedly tamper with the mail of students.

The city should not be so quick to dismiss this lawsuit. Students will take it seriously, and if this kind of action continues, students won’t want to continue living in off-campus housing. Alienating students should be reason enough for the city to take these allegations more seriously.