Before jumping down the University's throat, please allow me to point out some issues pertaining to the hearings held for Travis Parchman.

First, I would like to address the issue about barring attorneys from representing students. The reasoning behind this is to prevent affluent students to be represented by more capable people.

Attorneys will represent anybody for a price -- which only few students can afford. In the case of a court of law, equal representation is provided -- an attorney will be provided if you cannot afford one, Penn State also provides equal representation -- by not allowing attorney to represent anyone.

Second, I would like to address the constitutionality of the University's right to question witnesses. Prior to a case going to trial in the courts, there are two hearings that take place: a Preliminary Hearing, and a Discovery Hearing.

During these proceedings, the prosecution (in many cases the DA) questions all witnesses and attempts to determine exactly what transpired. Then, the prosecution adds or drops charges according to how they fit the alleged crime (often, several charges are dropped during this time).

Although the University has no formal hearing as such, the interviewing of the witnesses would be comparable to these proceedings.

Third, I would like to question your logic when you claim that the University's punishments were "harsh."

Perhaps you fail to realize that although action was taken for political reasons, a man was assaulted by three students on this campus. Or, perhaps you can be open-minded to recognize the constitutional rights of the three "activists," yet not be open-minded towards the interviewee's constitutional right to privacy.

Or, perhaps you cannot see that allowing illegal acts against the CIA to occur unchecked will not only prevent them from returning to interview on campus -- defense contractors will react adversely also.

Perhaps you do not realize that the CIA hires more than "International Thugs" -- they hire people from a variety of disciplines ranging from Foreign Service to Mathematics.

And last, but not least, perhaps you may not realize that the actions of these three "activists" may have prevented many students from having an opportunity to work at the position of their choice.

Before criticizing the University's policies and practices, please use a little consideration.