As a parent, you take a risk whenever you let your child out of your sight. Kids have died from alcohol poisoning, car accidents, and crime while away at college. I raised bright children with good sense. I have to, at some point, trust them to live their lives responsibly. Two of my older children went to school in Boston and LA respectively: not exactly "safe" cities either. Frankly, leaving Duke is a type of "Cut and Run" attitude in my opinion. I would rather stay and fight- support the Duke 3. Plus, you should understand that the "pot banger" students are in the minority on Duke's campus. The Chronicle's survey on the topic showed that an overwhelming majority (I think 90% but I can't remember the exact number) support the 3 boys. People have been screaming about liberals on college campuses for years. Yale had to return a $20 million gift from the Bass family (given in 1991) years ago b/c they did not institute a Western Civ program as had been designated in the donation. Political correctness got its start and thrives on college campuses. David Horowitz wrote a book "The Professors" about the 101 worst professors at colleges nationwide. I could go on and on. Are we trying to affect change? Of course! Let's get serious, though! PC is not going to disappear anytime soon, that's for sure. Do you think the government is suddenly going to become efficient? My point is that this is deeply ingrained in the academic culture. It is going to take a long time to change- possibly waiting for this generation of aged hippies to pass on through.
I don't expect the academy to reform over night nor do I expect the government to become efficient. But when an excess is this bad, either those affected stand up and give those in excess an incentive to reform or the excess will continue, get worse and we all suffer.
As far as this being a cut and run strategy, unless you have an Army and plan on taking Duke University by force, removing your business all all you have. It is not a public institution so you can not go through your legislature.
There are always excuses to not stand up and be counted. There are always excuses to accept behavior like Duke has engaged in and hope you can get your kid out of there with no problems for you. But if problems do arise for you, do you expect to be supported by others?