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The Fourth Wall
Announcements:
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The Fourth Wall is seeking
writers for all sections,
including sports and arts &
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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
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.on a regular basis.
To make this paper
successful, we need you to
participate by writing in
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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
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(smg5072@psu.edu)
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