The students' letter to Walsh charges that Walsh has ignored what it calls "the larger reason" for the loss of routes, "the University's overall economic difficulties."

"The comparison of SSP (Student Security Patrol)"--which is staffed by students on financial aid--"to a company that offers security students to its clients is a false analogy," the letter states.

A student who signed the letter said, "It's possible that a certain number of people are not doing their jobs, but the atmosphere of distrust creates a negative response" to discipline.

In the letter, Schlaudroff's appointment is described as "a manifestation of the deterioration of relations in the SSP." The letter goes on to suggest that no student should be given "unrestricted authority" over other members of the force.

Schlaudroff said he has the power only to report to Walsh, and to make recommendations on disciplinary action. He said he has never recommended that a student be removed from the patrol, although he said he has found several tardy or absent from their posts.

The letter recommends the creation of a liaison committee, composed of both supervisory and non-supervisory members, to deal with grievances like those detailed in the letter.

Several students who signed the letter declined comment yesterday, because they said they hope to avoid increasing conflict within the force.

The patrol was investigated last year, following the disclosure of alleged mismanagement by senior student supervisors. Walsh's appointment to head the force was in part a response to that criticism