Vandalism a problem on campus

submitted by Jeremiah Stanghini

April 7, 2008 —

After speaking with a variety of people, it is clear that the amount of vandalism and unnecessary destruction on campus is higher this year than it has been in any of the other three years that I've been a student at SVSU.

While I realize that as the institution grows, it becomes increasingly easier for immoral acts to take place, I'm not convinced that this is a valid excuse. The reason I'm writing this is not to speak to the people who are defacing SVSU, but instead, to speak to those of you who aren't. Is this something that you're proud of? Do you like that your fellow learners would rather knock over trees in the Rotunda than go to class and get a valued education?

I would hope that the answer would be no and if this is true, then why aren't you doing something about it? This campus, while it may only be your home for eight months out of the year, is still your home for those eight months. Would you want someone coming to your parents' house, knocking over lamps, and then turning the couch over on their way out the door? NO! It is our duty, the duty of the people who call this place home, to let the people around us know that we don't appreciate this pointless eradication of our beautiful campus. One of the most important things about going to college is learning about making good decisions.

Is it a good decision for someone to destroy parts of campus? I'm asking you, as a fellow red-prided Cardinal, to speak up the next time you see someone putting out a cigarette on the sidewalk. Speak up the next time you see someone leaving their garbage on a table at Einstein's. Speak up the next time you see someone about to make a poor decision. Many people put a lot of hard work into keeping this campus beautiful and I believe that it is our responsibility to inform the people around us that we don't appreciate the vandalism.

Jeremiah Stanghini
Student Association President