Ever heard the phrase "look but don't touch?"

Is it necessary for your mom to follow you around and tell you "don't touch that?" What is the point of stealing a plant, pulling up a tree or throwing a bench into the river? What are you going to prove by killing something or throwing a piece of MSU's history into the Red Cedar?

If you don't know the answer, let us tell you that there is no point or purpose. It is a shame that some of the trees have to be chained down for their own protection.

The Beal Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful spots on campus, and college students who are old enough to act grown-up are acting like children and ruining it.

The garden was established in 1873 by Professor William James Beal. It is the oldest continuously operated botanical garden of its kind at a university in the United States. This should be enough information in itself for people to have a little more respect for it and leave it alone.

The garden is always open to the public and people go there and vandalize it. It is a very peaceful and beautiful place to go to study or just think. It also serves as an educational tool because there are cards set up explaining to visitors what every plant and tree is.

A lot of hard work is put into keeping the garden beautiful and healthy. It is often the site of weddings and tours.

The garden also is a place where many students and faculty do research. How would you feel if someone ruined your science project?

What is it going to take for students to leave this natural resource alone? There is nothing that can be done to stop the vandalizing short of chaining every plant, flower and tree to the ground.

Perhaps, having a police officer or security guard at all times is necessary. If this extreme action needs to be done, so be it. But it is going to take away from the beauty and serenity of the garden.