Nov 15, 2014 2 min read

What in the world is going on in California? This little borough on the Monongahela River has had so much bad press recently due to arrests for property destruction, public intoxication, fights and disorderly conduct, which have occurred on and off the campus of California University of Pennsylvania. If there has been any snickering and joking about rowdy behavior being connected to a “party school” mentality, the joke is now over.

The college experience is a once-in-a-lifetime event for many young people. The paramount reason they are attending Cal U is to prepare themselves for gainful careers. Good times with classmates, that are not out of line with the university’s conduct policy and civil law, are expected and will be fondly remembered. I make no accusation against the entire student population of Cal U. Certainly, most of the students are law-abiding and sensible young people with admirable goals.

But a few horribly rotten apples have spoiled the barrel for everyone, and cast very dark shadows upon a university which has admirably prepared thousands of students for careers.

That being said, what can the borough of California and Cal U do to quell the ever-increasing episodes of civil disobedience and criminal activity? Maybe, just maybe, the entire town needs to go dry for at least one year. As with West Virginia University and Morgantown, much of the violence and property damage is fueled by alcohol.

Admittedly, students would probably purchase alcohol from nearby communities, but opportunities for excessive drinking within the borough would be eliminated. Some may say that a tea-sipping environment at a public college would discourage prospective students from enrolling there. Well, so be it. We hear of no such trouble at Geneva or Grove City colleges.

As I see it, something must be done very soon to get control of the situation in California. A safe and sane college environment needs to be maintained for the entire student population, as well as for the good citizens of California Borough.

Ronald J Yamka

Canonsburg