The ISU community was served a healthy dose of irony two weekends ago when Vernon Wall, assistant dean of students, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.

Wall advises eight of the most visible student organizations on campus, including the Government of the Student Body, the Black Student Alliance, Cy’s All-Campus Leadership Summit and something that’s been in the news lately called Veishea Inc.

He is also, of course, a prominent figure within the Dean of Students Office, which publishes the Student Information Handbook, a large compilation of rules and guidelines for student conduct, such as “the university community must encourage responsible behavior for those individuals who consume alcohol.”

Wall’s blood alcohol content was .109 percent, according to Ames Police. He did not pass field sobriety tests after being pulled over for speeding.

Although the news of the charge has probably done plenty already to sully Wall’s reputation, it will be important in coming weeks to let the legal process take its course. Wall’s boss, Dean of Students Pete Englin, is wisely taking this course, saying he won’t make any final decisions unless Wall is convicted. If that happens though, the course for Englin and the university will be clear: Wall wouldn’t have a job.

Iowa State has taken a no-nonsense stance of late in dealing with bad publicity. A riot, loosely connected to a student celebration, that gains national attention in connection with that celebration? Suspend an 82-year tradition. General rowdiness outside football games? Restructure the tailgating plan. Basketball coach with a drinking problem — and the embarrassing pictures to prove it? Can him.

Larry Eustachy’s sin was far less damning than an OWI conviction would be, yet ISU President Gregory Geoffroy and Athletics Director Bruce Van De Velde both appropriately saw a clean break with the still-capable coach would prevent a slew of sticky problems from ever occurring.

Eustachy’s contract said he’d be fired for causing the university grief. Wall, a professional employee, is prohibited from embarrassing Iowa State through a “through a deliberate infraction of law [or] through moral turpitude” by the Professional & Scientific Handbook.

With so many people blaming the Campustown riot on alcohol — the most convenient scapegoat for any problem involving college students — the simplest course is to ensure anyone working with students with the frequency Wall does isn’t vulnerable to distracting criticism, whether it be legitimate or otherwise.

If he is guilty of driving while intoxicated Wall’s sixth year at Iowa State should be his last.