The #1 Party School

Obviously, when listening to this podcast for the first time, I felt a broad spectrum of emotion. Initially, during the first few minutes when the reporter was taking the accounts of the girls peeing on the resident's lawn and the boys stealing the stop sign, I was caught between trying to imagine this actually happening and attempting to explain that this may have been faulty, over the top reporting. Already, without getting even ten minutes into the podcast, I had to pause and reflect on what was being said and the accounts that were being given. I concluded that I would be embarrassed to have to explain that events of this nature actually happen on "my" campus. Later in the list of interviews with students, a senior reasoned that his actions could be supported or okayed by the fact that this was college. "You won't ever be able to do these things again in your life," was his seemingly drunken response. Unfortunately, between the public urination, the stealing of roadsigns, and the dancing naked at parties, this senior's reasoning seems to be an apt mentality of many of the students both attending Penn State and other colleges around the nation.

Of course, in a podcast like this, there is going to be many appeals to all ethos, pathos, and logos. I would say that the reporters were very careful in regards to whom they chose to interview. The scantily clad and drunken east hall freshmen girls with their "frackets", the State College residents who suffer from the disrespect of the frat houses, and the extremely ditzy and intoxicated 21 year old who is celebrating her birthday by getting wasted and tailgating. Let us also not forget, an almost cliche instance of a student's death due to alcohol poisoning, reminding the audience that average nights consisting of routine fun and games are often the nights when unexpected tragedy strikes. Each of these interviews bring with them a feeling of disgust, resentment, and pity for whoever is listening, giving this documentary a dismal aura. In this way, it's almost as if the things that make this podcast so emotional, are also the things that take away from the appeal this has to the audience.

Finally, the podcast did use tactics that I thought were more effective, such as interviewing Graham Spanier and other Penn State alumni along with providing other statistics regarding alcohol and drug use. In his speech, our Penn State president explained that the poll saying the school was the number one party school in the nation was voted on by students of this university. Continuing with that, he made the convincing argument that most of this had to due with the students of this campus wanting to simply be the number one school in the nation at everything possible. For example, we all take pride in having one of the best and most recognizable mascots in the entire country, as well as having one of the best and most recognized football coaches and teams in the nation. However, given statistics that show lower grades in students who consume alcohol regularly, the whopping 75% of students who drink on and off of campus, and the excessive partying state college residents experience, it seems as if the words from Mr. Spanier are of no consolation or effective explanation to those being negatively affected by the irresponsibility of Penn State students while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.