UCSD students are facing a potentially grave health risk, and the university is doing little to stop it. As this week’s Guardian investigation showed, the campus’ Department of Environment, Health and Safety has been selectively administering health codes, granting “variances” and exceptions to eating facilities in violation of state law and allowing repeat offenders to stay open for business despite not having any reasonable expectation for positive change. These policies are clearly not in the best interest of students, staff, faculty or patients.

Currently, the university’s Business Affairs department oversees EHS, even though the department also controls many of the eateries EHS inspects — a clear conflict of interest that could be easily mitigated by moving EHS to another department, such as Resource Management and Planning.

In its long-standing relationship with food facilities, EHS has tried too hard to play the role of a “friend,” neglecting its duty as a regulator and endangering students in the process.

If the state constitution’s guaranteed autonomy for the UC system allows the university to selectively interpret and administer state law when it comes to health and safety, something is wrong.

Although campus regulations require EHS to comply with state law, the Uiversity of California Office of the President has no similar policy — each campus is given leeway to apply standards however it sees fit. At the very least, state law should be enforced, for regulations are there for a legitimate reason: public safety. The current policies do not promote a safe dining experience.