Rumor has it...

Putting a stop to campus gossip

By Marisa Kratochvil
Editor-in-Chief

In recent weeks there have been numerous rumors on the MC campus that have proven to be false and Mohsin Masood, associate dean of students, would like to address these serious issues.

The first rumor began after students returned from Fall Break and focused on a man from Galesburg, who was seen in the library viewing pornographic material at a public workstation.

After being spotted by a librarian, she called campus police to apprehend the man.    However, by the time help arrived the man was gone, but he was searched for by MC security.

In order to protect students, a few hall staff members were altered to be on the lookout and report the man if he was seen.

Presently, this matter has been resolved, said Masood, with the man being banned from entering the campus and, in addition, he has not been seen.

“As a private institution,” stated Masood, “we have a right to ban those people who create a problem.”

As rumor of the man’s presence circulated through the campus, stories have been told of him wandering through Winbigler Hall and the Huff Center.

However, Masood clarified the man was only seen in the library and no where else on campus.

The man was able to enter into the library since it is considered a public domain and the local people can use the college’s facilities for personal purposes.

“Anyone can come in and use the library,” said Masood. “People can use it to do a variety of work.”

Unfortunately, the unfamiliar man on campus is not the only rumor being spread.

A few weeks ago there were rumors of HIV and STDs being transmitted within students on campus.

A false story, Masood responded, “We checked with the local area hospitals and there were zero reports of any outbreaks.”

With rumors aside, Masood would also like to address student conduct in regard to pranks on campus.

A few weeks ago, Masood was informed that four MC students, two males and two females, executed a prank among themselves, which led to the police being called to the scene.

According to Masood, the students entered a car and drove into a main residential street.

After some time, two of the students staged an argument and one to the men grabbed the girl a placed her in the trunk of the car and drove away.

A local resident witnessed this event and called the police department, which in turn altered the state and federal police.

“The Office of Student Affairs is taking action,” said Masood.

“The matter has been taken care of and they [the students involved] are very apologetic.”

The issue of kidnapping is not an issue to take lightly, stated Masood, since the recent events at Illinois State University where a student was abducted and murdered.

In dealing with the issue of rumors and pranks, Masood would like any student with questions, comments or concerns to contact the Office of Student Affairs at ext. 2113.