Penn State is Terrified of Nature, Shuts Down 98-Year-Old Outing Club

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We’re living in a day and age where information is at an all-time high, and we still fear the unknown as much as ever, the things that could happen.

That’s why Penn State (particularly Student Affairs and Risk Management) decided that its 98-year-old Outing Club was too risky to continue to be run as it had been, ending their trips and, for all intents and purposes, the club.

Officially, this was announced:

An assessment of risk management by the university that determined that the types of activities in which PSOC engages are above the university’s threshold of acceptable risk for recognized student organizations.

Let me repeat that: Penn State thought it was too risky for its students to take hikes and do all sorts of other cool nature shit.

University officials tried to blame the decision on alcohol-induced incidents (though they couldn’t list a specific case), but Penn State Outing Club president Christina Platt called bullshit on that in an email to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

The (Outing Club) officers believe that dry trips are better for both safety and our club culture, and we are in support of a zero-tolerance policy toward alcohol on trips. Alcohol is far more accessible to students who stay home for the weekend.

The truth is Penn State has had their fair share of bad press and lawsuits, and they seem to be actively seeking ways to avoid more.

In the process, however, they’ve created a bit more bad publicity.

Ending a program that allows students the opportunity to travel and experience nature because of the risk of frivolous lawsuits?

Not good, Penn State!

How could that conversation have gone?

“You know, Margaret, these kids could be hurt on some of these Outing Club trips,”

“I agree totally, Hansel. Have you see True Grit? That poor girl fell into a pit of vipers!”

“Good heavens, Margaret! Have you prayed since viewing such filth? The snake is the sign of the devil.”

“Think of the children, Hansel! We must protect them at all costs!”

“Goodness me, Margaret. We shall.”

They’re discussing the actions of young adults as if they’re pre-teens sneaking away from their parents.

And they’re talking as if everything in the wild is so dangerous.

Take this bee, for instance:

https://twitter.com/HollyChadwick__/status/988898492893618177

What if that bee stung someone who was allergic on an outing and they died?

Wouldn’t that be awful?

Perhaps, that student would keep an EpiPen handy.

Or is that asking too much of someone preparing for the real world.

But wait, Taylor, what if they encountered this beast:

I would rationally explain to them that it was a sloth (an animal so ugly that it’s cute) and that it would do them no harm.

But what about bodies of water!

What would they do then!

I would give the students this quick exam:

Can you swim? Y/N (circle one)

If you answered yes, enjoy a nice, refreshing swim to rinse of the sweat and dust from your leisurely hike.

If you answered no, avoid bodies of water in which you can’t touch the ground below.

These things really aren’t overly difficult, but I also don’t have to wade too deeply in the waters of our overly litigious society.

In a way, I sort of understand why they’re doing what they’re doing, but as a University intent on preparing your adults for the world ahead, they’re doing a poor job.

Penn State, allow the students enough freedom and personal responsibility to make mistakes from which they can learn.

Maybe in time, you can learn from yours.