page 2 The Fourth Wall Announcements: Currently seeking writers The Fourth Wall is seeking writers for all sections, including sports and arts & entertainment. We also need general writers on assignment and general article writers. There are openings for regular columns, such as a political column, humor column, advice column, and cartoons. All students are welcome regardless of major. Writers are not required to submit articles .on a regular basis. To make this paper successful, we need you to participate by writing in your opinions, concerns, and comments. Interested parties should send emails to jmz5027@psu.edu. Students wishing to place advertisements can Submit - them to: Jmz5027@psu.edu for consideration. This is a free service for students. Mission The Fourth Wall was ue within the By Jordan Martin Staff Writer The actions of one man at the Virginia Tech campus have had repercussions for all American citizens, especially college students. In the days following the shootings, other threats followed. Threats of bombs and violence hit even the local area, as classes at both James Buchanan High school and Shippensburg University were disrupted due to a bomb threat and a suspicious package respectively. This makes one wonder, as a college student, how safe one is from the threat of violence, even on a small rural campus. While there may be plans in place in the event that a shooter would appear on campus, one cannot help but have doubts at the effectiveness of such a plan against a determined killer. The plan might stem further violence from occurring, but it would be nearly impossible to thwart initial violence from taking place. The ability to keep the violence from occurring in the first place or from escalating would necessitate the type of monitoring systems evocative of Big Brother. A campus blanketed with 24/7 visual surveillance might be a safe campus, but it would probably not be a happy one. Students’ freedom to express themselves freely in writings could also be threatened by the recent events. How far does a student’s work have to go before it must come to the attention of the authorities? What is the line between freedom of speech, and a premeditation of impending violence? This leaves those in charge of law enforcement on college campuses in a precarious position. If there are no distinct guidelines, a repeat of violence might occur.. If rules are stringent, there is a danger that they might go too far and infringe on students’ rights. Therefore university officials must take care that they do not infringe on student rights as a reaction to the Virginia Tech incident, while also ensuring the safety of the scholastic environment. Penn State recently showed their suppo annual Blue and White game. rt for Virginia Tech at the Mail can be sent to: The Fourth Wall, Campus Life Office, 1 Campus Drive, Pennsylvania State University Mont Alto, Mont Alto, PA 17237. Editor-in-Chief... lin hd fe dil ded isdin tn inesinivines rere nnm snes JustinZickar (ijmz5027@psu.edu) Sports BAMOr. oo a Ll iets hatred teas gins sysus tutus tnaenniinans Shea Greenland (smg5072@psu.edu) AQVICCCOMMINISE. oo... in at i hve iateis eis hs rest sp arsvnsisiuriasvenis it botvi ves Michael Bloom (mpb5019@psu.edu) Business DIFCCIOY.......e. i... ioitivessiuidinrsiasmaisdss sivsbssisngs sorsihesdet sass i ings hh conts wodssnrhantssens evs reas? ...Peter Dendle (pjd11@psu.edu) AVHISE. co. ici vnisniins is imiims vor An ee AEs fet Se SoA Tahara mts HT oA Es eSBs Sng T ssn irsaiavi theese sh ......2ack Mentz (zdm104@psu.edu) Staff Writers: : : Ryan Kelly Jordan Martin Trevon Pegram Gregory Reed (rpk5022@psu.edu) ~~ (jkm241@psu.edu) (tap5053@psu.edu) (gir137@psu.edu) Shea Greenland Tony Arnold Stacey Cornwell Ashley Moore (a5022@psu.edu) (slc309@psu.edu) (anm5046@psu.edu) (smg5072@psu.edu) ! Editorial offices are located in Library 205.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers