-Winter 2007- -Vol. 4 Issue 3- By Justin SB hamZider Editor-in-Chief The indecency that started at one small Halloween party in State eyes of a national audience during the first week of December. Students, Nathan Jones, a senior and biochemistry/molecular biology major , and Jessica Maroclo, a senior and psychology major, at Penn State, both dressed in attire depicting victims of the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech tragedy. The pictures of the students and their Halloween costumes that were taken months ago recently -surfaced on Facebook.com, and ever since have sparked local and national outrage. Within hours of an initial report at a Virginia Television station, facebook groups began sprouting by the dozens. Administrators of the popular college website responded to the groups by censoring the involved student’s faces. Penn State officials quickly responded to the incident, releasing this statement, “We are appalled that these individuals would display this level on insensitivity, indifference, and lack of common decency and sense by dressing up in this manner.” The statement went on to say, “The fact that one of these individuals is actually from Virginia, makes it even more difficult to understand. Just because something is within the bounds of the Constitution and free speech, does not mean it should be unde e certa nly condemn these ugly and senseless actions. Most Penn Staters are as offended by this as anyone from Virginia Tech would be—and rightfully so. These two people do not represent 90,000 Penn State students. They represent see Penn State page 2 A recent article by local Franklin County newspaper, The Public Opinion, entitled Town vs. Gown has brought forth an alarming amount of negative attention to light about the students of this campus. The alarming article cited several community claims of Mont Alto students disrespecting property lines and general discourtesy to the citizens themselves. The catalyst for the outcry began with the controversy surrounding a ‘small riot’ that occurred on October 21%, 2007. Although many students decline that this was any sort of riot in the sense that there was little to no property damage, the trouble begins there and the list of issues with students, such as urinating in yards, trespassing on private property, and underage drinking, goes on in the article. Public more is the article However , Opinion’s controversial than factual? Would a media source utilize grandstanding and drawing battle lines and sides for the sole purpose of sales? Of course, these claims are offset by another problem: Could any change have occurred without public spotlight like this? The unfortunate answer is too often than naught, that controversy is necessary to spark debate and solutions. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t be required to draw clear cut sides. These types of statements, such as the threatening quote from Irwin Jones, stating, “If something doesn’t change, and change soon, someone’s going to get hurt,” do not benefit, or even call for a cooperative chance for rectifying the situation. But is the damage of public image to the university worth the abusive power of the pen? The article uses quotes from citizens who decry Penn State, and create a negative view by making the University seem uncaring, even see Mont Alto page 2
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