Monday, May 7, 2007
The Mifflin Streak
For 31 years, Penn State students have participated in the Mifflin Streak and this year wasn't any different. On late Sunday before finals begin, students are often seen streaking around Mifflin Hall. Those who do it say it is a stress reliver. Thousands of people gather because it is funny. The police and administration are not happy with this tradition and they stand ready to arrest and cite anyone who streaks.
One of the reasons I wanted to work at Penn State was to be a part of long running traditions. Year in and year out for 31 years PSU students have participated in the Mifflin streak. The streak took a bad turn in the early 90s when the male streakers would run by female windows and ask the females to take off their clothes. Some would. Some felt that this was harassment.
Tonight around midnight, thousands of students were gathered in the parking lot in front of Mifflin Hall. There was also every single police officer I had ever seen on this campus. The students formed two solid lines of people and waited for the streak. In the past, the streak would last 20 minutes and there would be hundreds of streakers but because the police started arresting as many people as they can, the streaking was more in spurts.
I, of course, was not standing on the outside where all of the other Coordinators were. I was in the line with two of my RAs waiting to see the action. :) The guy next to me asked if we would help block him as he got naked. My RAs and I helped form a circle and the first three streakers of the night ran through the crowd. All I saw was a butt!
There were several streakers throughout the night but it was so crowded that other than a bunch of butts I only saw one penis and a set of boobs (not on the same person). I am sure the festivities would have lasted much longer but we ended up leaving when I saw the Director of Residence Life on the outskirts - not looking too happy. She didn't see me but I am unsure how she would react.
I can't really see how this is a bad thing. I had some streakers on the Honors LLC floor when I was an AC at USI. No one got hurt and the participants were all willing. There was a guy that was a bit aggressive with his video taping of females but no authority figure said anything to him instead they arrested one male student who was streaking. The people who are against this say that it is harmful to women who were raped but I don't see how. Everyone on campus knew about the event and those who didn't approve stayed away.
One of the reasons I wanted to work at Penn State was to be a part of long running traditions. Year in and year out for 31 years PSU students have participated in the Mifflin streak. The streak took a bad turn in the early 90s when the male streakers would run by female windows and ask the females to take off their clothes. Some would. Some felt that this was harassment.
Tonight around midnight, thousands of students were gathered in the parking lot in front of Mifflin Hall. There was also every single police officer I had ever seen on this campus. The students formed two solid lines of people and waited for the streak. In the past, the streak would last 20 minutes and there would be hundreds of streakers but because the police started arresting as many people as they can, the streaking was more in spurts.
I, of course, was not standing on the outside where all of the other Coordinators were. I was in the line with two of my RAs waiting to see the action. :) The guy next to me asked if we would help block him as he got naked. My RAs and I helped form a circle and the first three streakers of the night ran through the crowd. All I saw was a butt!
There were several streakers throughout the night but it was so crowded that other than a bunch of butts I only saw one penis and a set of boobs (not on the same person). I am sure the festivities would have lasted much longer but we ended up leaving when I saw the Director of Residence Life on the outskirts - not looking too happy. She didn't see me but I am unsure how she would react.
I can't really see how this is a bad thing. I had some streakers on the Honors LLC floor when I was an AC at USI. No one got hurt and the participants were all willing. There was a guy that was a bit aggressive with his video taping of females but no authority figure said anything to him instead they arrested one male student who was streaking. The people who are against this say that it is harmful to women who were raped but I don't see how. Everyone on campus knew about the event and those who didn't approve stayed away.
# posted by Tracy @ 12:27 AM 
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