I agree that they shouldn't be punished or anything.
They shouldn't be punished in any way severe enough to screw up their future or their academic career. But I think it's important to keep hacking illicit and therefore require that it take a bit of courage to pull off. It serves as a quality filter and keeps the art from degenerating into stupid frat pranks.
Also, the fact that everyone knows that it's a bit difficult ($500 fine for being caught on the roof, locked doors, etc.) makes the hacks more impressive when they do happen.
But calling them heroes is a bit of a stretch.
And why is that? Football players earn the title of "hero". (at least at ASU they do).
Why should intellectual accomplishments be any less note-worthy than physical ones?
They're both a stretch.
Hero: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Borlaug
Hero: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liviu_Librescu
Hero: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Autrey
MIT dome hackers: not heroes.
ASU football players: not heroes.
But calling them heroes is a bit of a stretch.