Journal #6 Investigative Report Outline

1. Opening Scene: On Sunday, September 20, 2009 Penn State freshman, Joe Dado, was reported missing after leaving a party at Phi Gamma Delta. His body was discovered the following evening around 6pm, from a repairman, outside of the Hosler Building. It was discovered that Joe had fallen 15 feet to his death. Soon after, police come across that alcohol was a factor in this atrocious casualty. However, did this sad start for Penn Staters result in any sort of change in campus regulations? Do Penn State students now realize the potential hazards of the overconsumption of alcohol and walking home alone?

2. Illustrative quote that will conclude your scene:

Zane: “I can’t drink for a while now.”

Me: “Why”

Zane: “This.” (Yellow sheet of paper, was charged with an underage.)

Well I guess, apparently not. Students each day are still becoming hospitalized, passing out, throwing up, and partaking in idiotic drunken acts.

3. Nut Graph: The University on the other hand has become stricter with drinking regulations. According to a Megan, an RA, “the rules for drinking have changed since Dado’s death. East never was a dry until this year. I am 21, so I would be able to have alcohol in my room. Now I cant. Anywhere there are freshman, there can’t be alcohol. They weren’t as strict last year”. It is however good to know that the University is taking a stance. Zane’s underage, as well as new regulations for dorms, show that Penn State is taking drinking more seriously.

4. Background: After Joe’s death Penn State is in fact becoming stricter with drinking. They have created new rules for RA’s as well as students and fraternities.

5. Supporting Information 1: “If you get caught throwing up in the bathroom, the RA’s automatically have to call the ambulance” –Megan, RA, age 21.

The school now takes the most direct approach with drinking. If you get caught, and are incoherent, the ambulance MUST come.

6. Supporting Information 2:

“Now frats have to make lists and they have to watch who can get in. We never had those security guys either. They have to make sure the frats are following the rules. They have to have an emergency number, a taxi, and drinks other than alcohol. The frats used to be chill. If you get caught, you have to go to a course and pay a fine.”- Paul, RA, age 20.

Currently, Fraternities are required to be rigorous with who they allow in. They must abide by harsher rules, and safety is now up there with having a good time. Security guards walk through the frats to make sure students are complying by the rules and partying in a safe manner.

7. Supporting Information 3:

“At first when I saw the security guards I thought they were police. It was scary. There were so many of them. They walk around carrying clipboards. They don’t do anything now they just make sure we are ok. It is the police who hide behind bushes that you have to watch out for.” –Ali, freshman, age 18

Ali affirms that there are a lot of security guards and policemen at night who watch out for students.

Supporting Information 4:

“It is scary for me to know that it is so easy to get an underage because for me, if I get one, I can not become a teacher.” Ali, freshman, age 18

Students are fearful about getting an underage; this can have positive and negative effects. Positive: hopefully students will be smarter about drinking. Negative: they will not want to ask for help when they need it.

8. Conclusion: Penn State students will not stop drinking, however it is good that the campus is making sure that students are being safe about drinking. Having security guards around truly does help. The arresting part and automatically calling the ambulance, does not help so much, because this will cause students to become fearful of asking for help when needed, however I do know that Penn State is doing their role when it comes to student safety.