The penalties stemmed from a presentation organized by Penn State Young Americans for Freedom that was titled "Pimps, Whores and Welfare Brats" and was conducted by controversial speaker Star Parker. During a question-and-answer period following the discussion, students went to the front of the room and loudly voiced their opposition to the speaker.

After members of YAF contacted the Office of Judicial Affairs because they felt the protest was disruptive, the university decided that the interruption warranted punishment. Three people were reported to Judicial Affairs because disrupted the speech.

But denying students re-enrollment to the university is by far too severe a punishment for such an action.

The students wore army fatigues as they marched to the front of the room and performed a skit in the midst of the question- and-answer session.

That conduct was improper, as the university said in a letter sent to one of the three former students charged.

But the university must remember that debate and discussion should be encouraged whenever possible. Such severe punishment for an overzealous protest goes too far in reprimanding students who just intended to spark additional debate about the speaker's topic.

Rather than immediately penalizing students so severely, Penn State should have warned the students that their conduct was outside the bounds of respect.

Especially in a university setting where students are being taught to develop their interests and involvements, the university and its organizations need to remember that they should not deter discussion about controversial topics.

Overly punishing students who actively engage in debate and discussion is not the path the university should take if it intends to encourage students to become involved with their community.