PSU Outing Club petition appeals disbanding
More than 3,000 people have signed an online petition asking Penn State University to reverse its decision to disband the 98-yearold Outing Club and allow the club to continue sponsoring hiking, canoeing and camping trips.
Lindsey Fritz, an Outing Club member who initiated the petition Tuesday, plans to send it to the university administration and the university’s Campus Recreation and Student Affairs offices.
Those offices, following a risk assessment of 76 student sport and club organizations, decided earlier this month that the Outing Club, the Nittany Grotto Caving Club and the Nittany Divers SCUBA Club no longer would be allowed to sponsor student outings because the activities are too risky.
The university said Monday that the decision to disband the three outdoor adventure clubs was influenced by reports of alcohol use on trips, although Lisa Powers, a university spokeswoman, could not provide details of incidents involving alcohol use.
Leaders of all three clubs have strongly denied the university’s allegations.
“The Outing Club has helped students find their confidence, transforming students into confident, young outdoor enthusiasts
because of the empowerment and mentorship the club has provided,” Ms. Fritz wrote in the petition’s introductory text. “PSOC has allowed students to feel safe and heard, and that is being threatened by the university’s decision to ban Outing Club from going outside.”
She also noted that the club had helped build the Mid-State Trail and the Allegheny Front Trail, participated in trail and river cleanups, and is responsible for introducing thousands of students to hiking, backpacking, camping and other outdoor activities.
In the comments section of the online document, Andrew Bessetti, vice president of the Outing Club at the university’s Behrend Campus in Erie, said he was shocked by the university’s action.
“Students should not be deprived of joining an organization dedicated to exploring the outdoors and enjoying nature,” he wrote. “It’s understandable that some events can be risky, but members are not forced to go on such trips and those who do must sign conduct forms … This was an overall bad choice the university made.”
Jackie Killian signed the petition and added, “The University is far overstepping the bounds of policing student activities by eliminating off campus experiences outdoors. A simple waiver to hold the University blameless in accidents should suffice.”
Brad Bruno, a former trip leader with the Outing Club, wrote that club trips were organized and shepherded by leaders who were CPR-certified and followed all university safety rules.
“The ‘risk management’ folks should be ashamed,’” Mr. Bruno wrote. “They are putting students at risk to cover their own behinds. PSU, now home of the Cowardly Lions, I’m so disappointed in you.”