The investigative report on Penn State’s rise to being the Number One Party School was interesting and thought provoking. It was done in a very professional manner and the journalists involved conducted interviews efficiently and effectively. The report included detailed descriptions about the drinking problem at Penn State, different ways other schools have addressed similar issues and how Penn State could possibly tackle this alleged drinking problem. The report is however extremely biased and the statistics provided I found to be quite skeptical. The journalist addressed an issue that can be presented to a very wide variety of audiences including students, parents, administrators, alumni and other authoritative figures somehow affiliated with Penn State. The issue is defined in very simple terms, easy to understand by almost anyone. The problem definitely deserves attention. Considering the date the article was aired, it is not surprising that it was presented in such a fervent manner. The death of a freshman in an alcohol related incident left a campus and a community shocked and distraught. The journalist most likely capitalized on this tragedy by conducting the report shortly after the boy’s death.
The report addresses the problem from multiple views. From the resident having to put up with drunken teenagers night after night to students themselves, to administrators, the report gives everyone something to relate to. Quotes are imperative in any report, and this journalist did a great job getting them. Many times, you can’t help but chuckle at the silly antics the reporter records or the ridiculous things students find themselves doing that I’m sure, seem like a great idea at the time. The report is clearly biased and believes that drinking has become an epidemic at Penn State and must be tackled immediately to prevent future alcohol related incidents.
One part that really struck me during the report was the comment a student made in retaliation of the report saying “when else can you do these kinds of things, if not in college?” I found this very powerful and true! College is constantly advertised as a time in life not only to broaden one’s education and academic pursuits but also to develop personally and gain a sense of true identity. Now, I’m not saying that all students must get wasted every weekend for four years to figure out “who they really are”. All I’m saying, is especially based on past generation’s drug abuse, is binge drinking on the weekends really such a tragedy? Sure, we at Penn State may enjoy drinking a little too much in some people’s opinion, but when is the last time you read about a drug bust at a frat party? Speaking from personal experience, I’ve been here for nearly four months including the summer and not including the times I have visited my sister and attended parties with her and not once have I ever seen the explicit use of hard drugs.
So overall, did I think that the report conveyed the drinking issue at Penn State accurately? I do, to a degree. It is more than prevalent on Penn State’s campus but as one alumni said, it is part of the culture. Like it or not, drinking at events and football games and on the weekends has grown a part of who Penn State is. With over 40,000 people between the ages of 18 and 22 or so, how can you expect it not to be? These are the years to experiment. The years to decide who you are and what you stand for. Those who choose not to drink are respected and not treated differently, but the overwhelming number that do choose to drink, well, I say, let them have their fun; college will be over before they know it.
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