Reprehensible

By Editorial

If one had observed Santa Clara students two weeks ago, it would seem as if they are immune to disasters. Having a party and singing with friends are all good ways to have fun on a weekend. But doing so while a school is burning down is just plain despicable.

When Buchser Middle School's science classrooms burned on Feb. 22, teachers, students and local residents were horrified as they watched a couple of early-afternoon spectacles.

No, not just the fire: The students who decided to set up shop, and then had a good time, singing the Bloodhound Gang's infamous "Let the mother ------ burn" made a profound impact on the community members who watched their school incinerate.

What a disgrace. But the problem isn't just rowdy Santa Clara students who mistakenly thought that Sunday afternoon in the middle of a seven-alarm fire was a Friday party night. Their actions could have created a bigger rift between the neighbors and undergraduates.

University students should quell drunken behavior around families in the neighborhood, but area residents should be reminded that they moved into a college town in the first place.

For over a year, Associated Students has put time and effort into improving university-neighborhood relations, and this incident was a slap in the face. It adds more fuel to the fire surrounding allegations of inappropriate behavior between undergraduates who live in the area.

Associated Students, with other student groups, is sponsoring a charity ball March 12 in the Adobe Lodge. Donations can also be made to a fire fund at the school.

Perhaps Santa Clara's spirit of charity and good spirit can prevail. We hope so, especially after such a tasteless response to a burning school from some students.