On a public university campus, students have expected certain freedoms. But thanks to a government act, those freedoms no longer exist in places such as the library.

With more than 40,000 students on campus, research is expected, whether it be in physics, biochemistry, microbiology or various other fields. Students shouldn't have to fear being suspected of terrorism because they checked out a certain books.

But under the 2001 USA PATRIOT Act, a student's activities in the library, such as checking out books or Internet usage, can all be accessed by law enforcement officials if terrorism is suspected.

The library is a place for quiet study and to get away from noisy roommates, but now students might need to think twice about their privacy and who might be watching them.

While the act is in response to preventing such tragedies as the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, it's a little extreme. As Americans, privacy is a right, which needs to be protected, not invaded.

Even with something as small as checking out books, people should not have to panic about the possibility of becoming scrutinized for terrorist plots when really all they were doing was studying for a midterm.

No one should have to look over their shoulders when getting books, using the Internet or simply studying.

So one might think to simply use their own personal computer instead of risking the library. Unfortunately, that isn't safe either. Police have been allowed to seize computers in hopes of finding incriminating evidence linked to events such as riots. Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III says if evidence of other crimes found on the hard drive, it also can be held against that person.

The government should realize this isn't what our founding fathers intended for our nation and they should reevaluate their thinking, especially when it comes to our freedoms.