Ball State University's Counseling and Health Services and Office of Victim Services normally receive e-mails with problems from students.
Typically, though, those problems aren't the university's fault.
Officials at the services have received mailboxes full of e-mails and complaints regarding an Aug. 17 SLAM! poetry performance that included some questionable and arguably offensive content.
In addition to foul language, some of the poets shared politically-charged points-of-view, with one poet saying "'F' the government and 'F' the military."
Welcome, freshmen.
A "mandatory" university-sanctioned event should not be a new student's first collegiate exposure to such controversial and derogatory remarks. At the same time, it's an example of how college situations can easily push people outside their comfort zones. On campus or off, this is certainly not the last time these freshmen will hear or see something offensive.
Nonetheless, the incident is embarrassing for Ball State.
At the roots of this entire situation were two university offices attempting to brief incoming students on serious and important matters. It's evident that Counseling and Health Services and the Office of Victim Services are attempting to educate students by using a form of entertainment arguably more amusing than a lecture. For that, they should be commended.
In an e-mail to freshmen Tuesday, officials from both offices said the offensive language surprised and offended them as well.
While the offices are doing what they can to apologize for the abrupt introduction, it's impossible to erase what happened. Damage control now revolves around making the students realize the poets' views on some topics are not necessarily the university's views.
Freshmen need to realize that in the SLAM! poetry environment a lot of things, especially politics, are open season for comment and argument. If they think this is offensive, they haven't seen anything, yet.
An argument against the university sanctioning of the performance, however, stands warranted.
Students who voiced their opinions by complaining after the show or by walking out in mid-performance should be acknowledged. There's nothing wrong with respectfully standing up for what you believe in. This campus needs your passion for opinion.
That voice, after all, is exactly what the SLAM! poets were attempting to achieve.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
