Is it really necessary for the State College Police to charge 17 separate students with furnishing alcohol to minors over the recent events pertaining to Anthony Torsell and Katherine Applegate? ("Students Charged With Furnishing," Dec. 14).

What message does this send to students and the broader Penn State community? I am struggling to find an answer. Indiscriminate punishment is ineffective at fighting broader issues.

State College Police should come down hard on Torsell, Applegate, and perhaps the people who bought the alcohol.

What is the purpose of charging people who are merely at a party in their own residence?

If you charge them you might as well charge Michael Drauch and his friends with underage drinking as well.

As an example of what this indiscriminate, overly-aggressive prosecution leads to, we don't have to look any further than Greg Gehl, the notorious Chicken Man. This gentleman has recently been charged with disorderly conduct and now furnishing alcohol to a minor, and for what?

Because he made friendly appearances to classes and threw a party at his apartment? How is Gehl supposed to get a job with two misdemeanor charges hanging over his head?

State College Police need to think a little bit more about what they are doing and why.