Students respond to recent vandalism controversy

By: Kyle Christensen
Features Editor

The messages of political opposition which were composed in spray paint on several college landmarks last Tuesday were cleared just in time for Family Weekend, but their impact and hauntingly eye-opening impression are still surfacing around the campus, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of some while even receiving acclaim by others.

With such controversial slogans as “Reclaim Your World/Fight Propaganda” and “Blood on our hands” having littered select locales of the school and surrounding community and the identity of the culprit(s) remaining an utter mystery, the reaction from the student body is strong and the opinions differ from every perspective.

One student, who chose to remain anonymous, commented on the previously sprawled “Abort Our Troops” on the Ross House apartment building, stating, “I think we need to support our troops overseas, and we shouldn’t be sending a negative message of their efforts.”

Meanwhile, many students are in complete support of the intent behind the occurrence, but are opposed to the approach that this operation took in its efforts. “Our campus is full of lazy apathetic people who don’t care. That’s neat that you’re protesting, but you need to do it in a way that is acceptable and that’s not stupid and immature,” asserts sophomore Teresa Schryver.

“I think there are more responsible ways to handle the situation,” says junior Pamela Steskal. “Work along with the school in your protest. Don’t deface the school in your protest.”

Sophomore Walker Filip, a resident of the apartment complex, sees the matter as lacking in respect to the maintenance workers of the college, remarking, “People shouldn’t spray paint their opinions on shit, because then someone has to clean it off, and that’s just not cool.” When asked to rephrase his comment to avoid profanity, Filip refused, saying he wanted to leave the comment as it stood.

Despite the unlawfulness of the situation, senior Mollie Williams perceives this recent development as an indication of potential progress to come. “As an activist on this campus, I am pleased to see individuals who are willing to stand in protest against something they believe is wrong. While I do not agree with vandalism, I hope that more students will continue to question the actions our country takes, not only in the Middle East but also in other social and environmental issues.”

Post-baccalaureate Emily Zvolanek shares this same view, proclaiming, “The vandalism shows just how much anti-war sentiment is going on in this country and on campus. I only wish it had not been done with spray paint because of how the focus immediately shifts from the war to the defacement of campus property.”