The University is not immune. Like companies on Wall Street subject to corruption and intrigue, Penn State has been pilfered by "white collar crime."

Former head of Business Services D. Lewis Mothersbaugh received a slap on the wrist last week for pleading guilty to stealing about $23,000 from the University over a five-year period.

Despite taking the blame for stealing enough money to send about nine in-state students to Penn State this Spring Semester, Mothersbaugh received just two years of probation, a $1,000 fine and 200 hours of community service. This comes only a year after two former Penn State Bookstore employees were convicted of stealing almost $40,000 from the University.

The white-collar crime cycle will stop only when the Centre County justice system decides to send a message that crime -- of any kind -- doesn't pay. And the cycle will stop when the University develops a way to avoid loopholes that allow for such illegal activities to flourish.

And what about the morale of students and their parents who pay tens of thousands of dollars to acquire an education at Penn State? Trust in the University as a whole declines when those who are funding the budget see their money being handled improperly.

Mothersbaugh was in a position of trust, and he apparently violated that relationship. Several people in the University community have expressed their regard for Mothersbaugh and his concern for students, but they seem to be overlooking what he actually did.

Attorneys for Mothersbaugh contend that he used the money to provide for employee picnics in order to maintain high morale in his department. Although Mothersbaugh may be commended for his intentions, his actions are still punishable by law.

No more charges have been filed yet, but speculation exists as to further charges to others involved. When and if such charges are filed, a strong message must be sent to the community that white-collar crime smacks of the worst kind of hypocrisy.