[anologwintermut]

Colleges of OSU's size have had problems with riots after games and at the end of frat parties ( in fact, I believe OSU has had both, I know they have had football riots [0]). Vehicles, including police cars, get flipped and set on fire.

Since this is likely surplus military equipment from the US draw down in Iraq bought for cheap, perhaps it was a cheap way to get a vehicle for riot control?

Certainly, they aren't expected to drive across IEDs on campus.

Keep in mind, the police forces at large state schools are actual sworn law enforcement officers who carry guns, arrest people, and are responsible for crowd control. OSU is more than 56k people, well past the point where a town would have it's own police force.

Of course, this says nothing about whether any police forces should have this type of equipment.

[0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIHxDZwxloY

[gcb1]

when 5+ people are going to pacifically hold signs in some park they have to inform the authorities so they can provide public "protection".

why a game of that proportions is different? i take it that more than 5 people are guaranteed to show up.