Campus Sign Defaced with Obscene Graffiti
A wave of shock rippled through the normally peaceful campus of Brigham Young University-Idaho after a university sign was vandalized with crude language on December 1.
A jarring discovery
Sophomore psychology student Brooke Tressler was taken aback when she saw a photo of the defaced sign circulating on Snapchat that morning. Located at the intersection of East 2nd South and South 1st East, the sign, typically a symbol of the university’s presence, now bore vulgar black lettering across its white stone surface. A spray-painted response was added to a cement block beneath. The culprit behind the act remains unidentified.
“I was disgusted,” Tressler recalled. “This is a campus where the Lord is, and people are not being nice.”
A campus known for safety
Ranked among the safest universities in America, instances of graffiti, protests, and vandalism are rare at BYU-Idaho. As a religiously affiliated institution, the university fosters and expects high moral standards from its faculty and student body.
The graffiti, reading “I won’t repent for this, b**ch,” stood in stark contrast to the prevailing values on campus.
Swift action and community response
Later that day, Tressler and her roommate Joanna Fehr were driving by the site of the vandalism when they spotted a grey tarp covering the offensive graffiti. This confirmed the veracity of the Snapchat post Tressler had seen earlier. Quickly, Tressler grabbed her phone and snapped a picture to share with friends.
The Snapchat story, though shared within an online group designated for BYU-Idaho students, was not affiliated with any official university platform.
Honoring the CES Honor Code
Students at BYU-Idaho commit to upholding the CES Honor Code, which requires each student to maintain an ecclesiastical endorsement. This endorsement signifies a commitment to adhering to gospel standards rooted in Jesus Christ, encompassing respect for the law and personal conduct.
* What are some specific ways in which the vandalism has impacted the sense of security and well-being of students and faculty at BYU-Idaho?
It appears you’ve provided information about a vandalized sign at BYU-Idaho, but also included information about a BYU basketball game. I can help you write an interview about the vandalism, but I don’t have any information from the provided text about who might be a good guest to interview.
Here’s a sample interview I can create based on the information given:
**News Anchor:** “Joining us now is [Name of Guest], a [Student/Faculty/Local Resident] at Brigham Young University-Idaho. A campus sign was recently defaced with obscene graffiti. Can you tell us a little about what happened and how the community is reacting?”
**[Name of Guest]:** “Yes, it’s truly shocking. A photo of the defaced sign started circulating on social media on Friday morning. The sign, located at the intersection of East 2nd South and South 1st East, is a prominent landmark and symbol of our university. To see it marred with such vulgar language was deeply upsetting to many.”
**News Anchor:** “I can imagine. What’s the general sentiment on campus?”
**[Name of Guest]:** ”There’s a sense of sadness and disappointment, certainly. Many students, faculty, and staff feel violated. BYU-Idaho prides itself on being a safe and welcoming environment, and this incident has shaken that sense of security. There’s also a lot of anger and frustration. People want to know who did this and why.”
**News Anchor:** “Have there been any official statements from the university administration?”
**[Name of Guest]:** “Yes, the university has condemned the vandalism and stressed their commitment to creating a respectful and inclusive campus community. They’ve also encouraged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. I believe they are taking steps to have the sign cleaned and repaired as soon as possible.”
**News Anchor:** “What do you think needs to happen now to move forward from this incident?”
**[Name of Guest]:** ” I think it’s important for the community to come together and support each other. We need to have open and honest conversations about what happened and how we can prevent something like this from happening again. This could also be an opportunity to revisit our campus culture and ensure that everyone feels respected and valued.”
**News Anchor:** “[Name of Guest], thank you for sharing your insights with us today.”
To make this interview more compelling, I would suggest:
* **Finding a specific guest** who was directly affected by the incident (a student who frequents that area, a faculty member worried about the impact on the campus environment, etc.).
* **Asking more in-depth questions** about the guest’s personal experience and perspectives.
* **Following up** on the university’s response and any potential investigations.
