Mitch Daniels is smart enough to know that a harsh consequence can be the best thing that can happen for a college student.
My Man Mitch!
Stupidity must have a consequence, or it will be repeated. Purdue president Mitch Daniels clearly believes in that axiom. Because he does, 13 student-athletes were suspended from the university yesterday.
THAT’S education!
When Daniels enacted the Protect Purdue Pledge, he meant business. Violate its terms, and the result is adios, goodbye, and don’t let the door hit you on the ass as you leave West Lafayette, as long as the appeal process doesn’t provide unchecked forgiveness.
The 13 students-athletes who were identified at a dorm party broke rules protecting the Purdue community from COVID-19, and so they have until tomorrow to either pack a bag or appeal the penalty.
None of the student-athletes are members of the football or men’s and women’s basketball teams, so there is no worry for fans excited by the prospect of the upcoming seasons. It would be interesting to see if Purdue has the stones to send Sasha Stefanovic, Trevion Williams, Rondale Moore, or David Bell home if they were caught at a party, but that’s not the point today.
About the suspensions, Daniels said, “The fact that this episode involved student-athletes can make no difference. At Purdue, we have one set of rules for everyone.” THAT’S the point! Irresponsible and stupid actions must have a consequence, even for the often pampered student-athlete population at Big 10 schools like Purdue.
In August, 36 students were suspended for attending a similar party. They appealed the suspension and remained in school. It will be interesting to see the results of the appeals that will surely be filed by these students. At some point, Boiler Up will need to mean Boiler Out, if the Protect Purdue Pledge is to mean anything.
Dopey college students – no offense, I was my status as one once – need to learn that irresponsibility has a personal cost or students will continue to make irresponsible choices.
Good for Purdue – assuming My Man Mitch holds the line on the suspensions.
While I agree that Purdue should hold true to actions have consequences, I find it disturbing that any adult would celebrate a student’s suspension. Ie. “I love it!!” Lets remember these are pre-adults, with brains that do not yet have the full capacity to digest consequences. Not to mention we are demanding that our children/ pre-adults forego a huge part of growth with the full college experience. While we try to impress upon them true consequences, let’s not celebrate their failures.
I was really celebrating the successes of those who were not punished. In 10 years, those who were bounced will look back on it as a very meaningful positive moment for them. Celebrate!