In response to the March 1 letter, "Weekend could have given visitors poor first impression," Mr. Byard wrestles with the idea that first-time visitors may have gotten a sour taste of Penn State culture this weekend. Believe it or not, though, these parents and potential students all understand that drinking is an integral part of the college experience, whether or not Penn State or State Patty's Day is attached to it. College drinking is not a new phenomenon, and even if this great holiday eventually goes to the wayside, the drinking culture here and at other universities will not subside.
Our parents who attended college, and even those who didn't, remember what it is like to be a pressured 20-something looking to have a good time and celebrate youth. Through their years, they have certainly experienced more than they saw in their brief glimpse of State Patty's Day. I highly doubt any of them were shocked by this display and were probably more put off by a diffident student who was unwilling to join in the display of school spirit and would rather talk down about his peers instead.
Jarrett Hawrylak
junior-computer engineering
