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Christian College Suspends Student for Working in Gay Pornography
Grove City College, a Christian institution north of Pittsburgh, has suspended a student whom officials found to be working in the gay-pornography industry, reported The Herald, in Sharon, Pa.
It’s against the rules, obviously, but look what else is, too:
Grove City’s student handbook lays out possible penalties for specific infractions, including a suspension of at least one week for “possessing pornographic material” or “premarital sex (heterosexual or homosexual),” as well as “throwing soap” or “water battles.”
Water battles and throwing soap? A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do:
Mr. Gechter told The Herald that he had been working in pornography for two years to pay his tuition. “When I first came to Grove City, I was pressed for money, and I worked four jobs trying to make ends meet,” he said. While modeling, he was approached by an agent who introduced him to more-lucrative jobs in pornography, the newspaper reported.
Grove City’s annual fee for tuition, room, board, and a computer and printer this academic year is $18,514. The college does not accept any form of federal student aid, so as not to be subject to laws and regulations tied to federal funds.
Emphasis mine!
30 Responses to “Christian College Suspends Student for Working in Gay Pornography”
I'm just wondering what the point was you were trying to make.
Agreed – is there a point to this news article on The Moderate Voice?
100% private institution, so they can make any rules they like as long as they don't run afoul of any federal or local laws. We can tsk-tsk them all we want, but that's about it.
Actually…I'm more curious as to why someone who is attending such a rigorously “christian” college would even consider working in porn in the first place. (Article says he was approached by someone in the industry and offered lots of money – but when has that been an excuse to put aside “christian” principles?)
Furthermore, the article states that he was found out by another student who was browsing pornography on the internet. What about that student, what's his excuse for his behavior?
Makes me wonder just was sort of 'Christians' are really at Grove City College. (Don't answer- rhetorical question). Sullivan uses the phrase “Christianist” to define these type of people – I like that phrase, but I'm also musing over the acronym CINOs – Christians In Name Only.
I dunno, no one in the article suggested that laws should be changed based on their religious viewpoint. As long as they are just advocating their own private moral standards, they're not Christianist.
I think it's a Rorschach Ink-Blot article….lol…
I'm just wondering what the point was you were trying to make.
The same point that's always being made in these blogs: “Christians are bad”.
I think the point here is that a right-wing Christian college attracted a repressed homosexual who turned to gay porn. In other words, Grove City (and similar schools) is full of Ted Haggards and Larry Craigs.
It's a silly point and a caricature, mostly.
Well I certainly believe that a private Christian College can regulate behavior on campus… but come on! He was working a perfectly legal job off campus and didn't even advertise it to his friends. All so he could earn money to graduate from college. Why should one's off campus actions, as long as they are legal, be grounds for being kicked out of college?
If the college truly was looking out for his interests they would let him finish his college and get a degree so he could pursue his career in molecular biology. By kicking him out of college the administration is doing more harm than good.
And besides, does the school go around and punish heterosexual students for having pre-marital sex off campus?
If the college wants to regulate off-campus behavior and have penalties for certain actions, then the college needs to have a way of actually monitoring everyone's off-campus behavior so the college can dole out the punishments they deem adequate.
The author's point is simply what most TMV editors attempt to accomplish…….put up a relatively insignificant story so that they can avoid having the conversation focus on something a whole bunch more significant…….Obama allowing a gay military linguist get discharged for being gay when by the stroke of his pen (EO) the man would still be allowed to serve his country.
I'm sorta siding with the college on this one. Parents expect colleges to be responsible for students' welfare in general, and a Christian college that sees Satan in water battles is bound to find a gay porn career a threat.
StockboySF- As an alum of GCC, I can affirm that punishment is the same in all cases of premarital sex: automatic suspension. The college does not go looking for infractions, but when notified responds accordingly. The difference between Grove City and the vast majority of institutions of higher learning is that the standards are set and there are consequences for breaking them. Novel idea, that: having standards and sticking to them.
Please- before getting on your soap boxes, do a little research into the institution in question. Likely many will still be offended, but at least then each will be appropriately informed and offended.
You know, I'm not sure what the point was. It was an impulse post. But longer posts here, here and here make clear that I believe the kinds of denial that religious institutions try to impose — come on, throwing soap and water battles??? — lead to UNHEALTHY expression (I believe working in porn is unhealthy, gay or straight) of a sexual proclivity. I think that out, proud gay people are today seeking the right to worship, serve in the military and marry. I think those who oppose that are free to oppose that all they wish, but they are wrong-headed and working at purposes that are not in society's best interest.
As to the anti-christian charge, my life-partner is a devout Christian, my relationship will be blessed in a Baptist church. You can say you don't want me if you like, but calling me anti-Christian is kind of like saying that those who are anti-gay marriage are bigots. Search my writing, I've never come even close. Name calling is not my way.
I do agree that the school, as a private agency, is free to set whatever standards it wants and those who choose to go there must live by said standards.
However, one wonders how the authorities learned of the films and if so, did someone else get tossed for watching the film in the first place ?
I'm also a GCC alum and I understand how an event like this could cast a severe light on the school and those in attendance. The administration is harsh about such matters because as a student you know going in what they expect of you and you understand the consequences that come with your actions. In this case, and many others encountered by my classmates while I was at GCC, there were students that supported both sides. Just because it's a conservative atmosphere doesn't mean everyone is going to be against him. There are genuine Christians on that campus that won't turn this into a crusade and will continue to treat him just as they did before. Please don't be so quick to judge us as a whole based on the reactions of a few.
JWindish, it seems to me if you're going to take Christians to task for unreasonable beliefs, you have to start with the elephant in the room: the invisible guy who will pass eternal judgment on us based on our compliance with his whims as documented by a bronze-age civilization. Believing a gay porn career is bad for you seems like small potatoes in comparison.
And really, a gay porn career *is* bad for you if you hoped to run for judge or congressman or pope someday. Even those comparatively mild photos that found their way onto myspace will follow you around.
disappointed2009: thanks. My point is that the school says it has the best interest of the student in mind, then they kick him out for trying to put himself through school and build a better life….. It doesn't make sense to me. I would think the student knows what is better for him than the administration…. As he said he had to work four jobs just to pay for college expenses until he took up this occupation. I think I remember reading that he's been there four or five years so he must be nearing graduation. Suspension just causes him more problems.
TayJei: no I don't judge any of the students or alum or faculty or administration in their personal beliefs. I obviously disagree with the administration on how they handled this…. I think what one does off campus is one's own business.
If you have Christian beliefs then that's great- it's wonderful and commendable. And if you're able to stick with your beliefs, then that's even better. But sticking with one's beliefs is sometimes a battle. In this case this student needed money to graduate and choose a fairly lucrative and legal way to earn money to cover college. He's not even studying to be a minister or priest or other religious person.
But the bottom line is that the college has made the decision and there's nothing I can do about it- I'm just expressing my opinion. But I do understand how the administration believes they can control all aspects of his life…. I just don't agree with it… That's all.
JW I was serious when I asked what the message was supposed to be and I'm still missing it. If it so people who go to these types of institutions realize what they are getting into then fair enough. I personally would never even think about going to any institution who exercised that level of control, or whatever you call it, of my life. Of course I'm not a practicing christian. If you believe that brand of Christianity then it is what it is and rather immutable. Just because those who try to follow and fail are troubled after, doesn't mean that they should make it easier so more can “hang” with the faith. It either means something or it doesn't and since there are many churches to chose from and many colleges why bash this one? Why not bash MIT for students who flunk out because they can't make the grade? Don't you think they would of expelled a female who posed in a mens mag? Would you of bothered posting that? I'm no religious scholar. I have no idea why homosexual acts are considered sins by most churches. I also wouldnt try to tell anyone what there church or religion should be as long as it doesn't effect me. If it was stone anyone who is gay I'd be out kicking some religious ass but if it is you can't do x and be here…….. then don't do x or go somewhere else. When did tolerance become approved? I don't give a crap who approves of my life. And this effort to make everyone approve or shut up is starting to piss me off. This is coming from a non-religious person who has never cared what someones orientation was
[...] Christian College Suspends Student for Working in Gay Pornography … [...]
EElis, The links in my last comment give detailed explanations, but I summarized in that comment that I think that willful denial leads to bad behavior. I do not favor “tolerance.” I am in favor of “equality and justice for all.” How we arrive at that is the challenge. On gay issues, we're seeing that challenge being met right now, culturally and legally, on both sides. Sil says elsewhere that Republicans are going to take the issue and run to victory. I don't think so. And, as it stands, I'm on the losing end. I am of the only class of person specifically EXCLUDED from marriage rights through law in my state. Where in ANYTHING I've written do you see me assert that ANYONE should “approve or shut up?” I'm all about engagement. That's why I choose to blog at TMV and not some liberal sing-my-song-in-harmony blog. The argument I make, inherently above and explicitly in those links, has not been engaged.
I read them and really don't get a connection. For a person making decisions it might matter but for a church or religious institution? Again the values they are holding to are not supposed to be based on peoples reactions but some higher truth. Personally I don't buy it but if someone does then ………… As far as the shut up thing I was speaking in general like with the miss USA crap that keeps getting posted about.
Again would you have posted it if it was a female student expelled for posing in a mens mag?
What a college with morals, ethics?
where to i hire these kids that graduate from there?
I think what one does off campus is one's own business.
Then presumably when you chose a university you chose one that didn't have the standards that this school does. That simple point seems to be missed by many- including Joe W.- the student chose to attend this university. If someone is conflicted with their sexuality and would feel compelled to act out in unhealthy ways in an environment where that kind of sexual behavior is considered immoral, then why would he choose to attend this college? Or if he didn't realize it until after he enrolled, he could have chosen to transfer to a different school at some point instead of engaging in illicit sexual behaviors for money.
Then presumably when you chose a university you chose one that didn't have the standards that this school does. That simple point seems to be missed by many- including Joe W.- the student chose to attend this university.
I agree – this man knew what he was getting into so it's hard to feel too sorry for him.
I do not understand how this statement is relevant at all
“Grove City’s annual fee for tuition, room, board, and a computer and printer this academic year is $18,514. The college does not accept any form of federal student aid, so as not to be subject to laws and regulations tied to federal funds.”
I attend Grove City College, and the tuition here is one of the lowest of all private institutions. Yes, the school does not accept federal loans, but they have their own system set up in which a student can recieve loans and manage their college bills. I think that paying college tuition isn't really a logical reason for getting into the pornography industry. There are many other things that you could be doing to make money other than that. The school will help you to pay for your education here.
I noticed that too, CB3- that sounds like a VERY reasonable cost. I don't see how this guy was unable to afford it if he really was holding down four jobs- but whatever. I was similarly strapped for money when I went to school (and was even threatened with losing my place in a lockstep veterinary curriculum when Reagan cut federal aid during my sophomore year- I REALLY had to scrape the barrel to find a way to continue, or I'd have had to reapply and restart my professional curriculum because you can't sit out a year.) But turning to porn or prostitution never crossed my mind.
Hmmm… Very interesting comments.
First of all — 18,500 is not a lot of money. The kid admitted to a local paper that he was making up to $5,000 during a single scene. He had been involved for over two years. Bottom line is the kid was and still is 'making bank' doing what he wants to do. For him to play the “struggling college student” persona is extremely audacious because I personally have a roomate who won't be able to make it for REAL financial issues. I don't see him running into the gay porn industry to further his education.
Secondly, Grove City College is definitely a place full of grace. Yes, maybe a handful of the students told him what they thought about him but to make remarks about all GCC students or Christians as a whole is biagtry. The real problem arised in the fact that when he was found out that he was involved in this lifestyle he didn't think it was a big deal at all. From his own newspaper quotes he “never thought this would happen”. There is not one single person on Grove City's Campus that would say that his dismissal by the Faculty is a suprise. The suprise was that he was involved in this stuff in the first place. I fully believe that if he would have told the faculty that he wasn't happy about his position and wanted the colleges help to change the situation (aka get him out of the industry, help with college payments etc.) the college would have been more than merciful and never would have suspended him. The fact that he's proud of his position and he feels like “he's right and the College is wrong” is why he had to be let go. The College doesn't stand for this stuff.. he obvioiusly does. He will lose any lawsuit he brings against the College.
RandomGrover: I'm with you. All GCC alum have found ways to make it through school by getting loans from the college and holding the same menial jobs that everyone else does. The school is very up-front about finding ways to help their students pay for school that don't include blatantly disregarding school policy. Sure, in comparison to state schools GCC is harsh. But as I said before, EVERY student is aware of the expectations placed on them when they enroll. You pay for the GCC experience… so why would you do something so contrary to the values of the school?
StockBoySF: Sorry, I wasn't directing that statement at you, or anyone in particular really. Since this issue has been brought to light there's been a lot of attacks on Christianity and Christians and GCC as a whole… it just doesn't sit right with me. In a lot of ways I agree with your earlier statements but after spending 4 years there (as much as I sometimes didn't agree with the administration) I understand where they're coming from. This is all a matter of college policy and accepting responsibility for your actions. Many of my classmates were suspended for drinking, drugs, sex, weapons and several other violations. Sure it seems ridiculous but in every case they knew the rules and broke them anyway.
PS Does anyone know what happened to the student that found the stuff on the web? No one is saying anything but I'm sure they're in a similar situation.
What is interesting is that some of the comments say that the students choose to go here, yet other comments say that the parents who send their kids here expect the college to take care of the kids….
Also…. Where does the right to privacy end and the right for a college to intrude into the affairs of a student begin? I can certainly understand how the college wants to regulate behavior on campus…. but off? Even if the kids “agree” to it? I didn't think one could give up one's basic rights…. There are laws, for instance, against usury. Maybe not a basic right… but the law does recognize that some private arrangements may be harmful or against the public's best interest. And there is the right to privacy…. So what does that mean, exactly? Can someone just give up this right? Certainly some people would charge high interest rates and others in dire situations would agree to them…. But that doesn't make usury right…. even if two parties agree to the rates. So what privacy do these kids have?
Lastly, if the school really is one of the more affordable private institutions offering a good education, then I think it's even worse for kids who feel they have to sign on the dotted line to get a good private education, but have to give up many rights to privacy…. The students are even prohibited from certain actions off campus in their spare time. You can't tell me that is not an invasion of privacy, even if the students “agree” to it….
Really all I'm trying to explain is that I see a distinction between on campus behavior (and behavior while representing the school) and off campus behavior which is not illegal or does not harm anyone.
So that just gets me back to my question about what rights, and specifically how much privacy, can institutions take away from students?
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Several questions I have for the Grove City College (GCC) Adminstration (however, I will eagerly repsonses from the alumni if the admin is too busy in court):
First, the student was using a phony name, did not identify himsself as a GCC student, was presumably not wearing his class ring, and was off campus during non-school hours. Despite this I believe that if the school is to be consistent with their “values” they do need to suspend him.
Several questions for the GCC alum (and others) on this board:
1. Was the student who viewed the gay porn and turned in the actor disciplined (or at least counsled? If making porn is against the value of GCC, the presumably veiwing it is also against the values.
2. Was a GCC computer used or was this porn viewed on a non-GCC computer?
3. Was the viewing done on or off campus?
4. The actor/student claims to have received many hate e-mails (although I am certain he exaggerated the number). Is sending hate e-mails a Christian value that is taught at GCC?
5. What if the actor/student had filmed a movie that depicted the killing of a human being? Would the student have faced sanctions under these circumstances?
6. The money that he earned though “ill-gotten means” later went to GCC (with the actor/student as the intermediary). Since the money is tainted and GCC tries to be pure) should not GCC return the money?
They were right to suspend him, but I strongly suspect there is some hypocrisy and/or double standards at work here.
I live within one hundred miles of GCC and would like to share some observations (in case anyone even cares):
1. A young man I knew who graduated from a public high school with 600 in a graduating class (class, not the entire school) commented to me about the social skills of GCC students. He said that half of the students were either home schooled or attended some Christian academies. As such, they never developed social skills in high school.
2. Twenty years ago, I spoke with a young woman who had applied to GCC (she was accepted, not certain if she enrolled). This woman is about as strait laced as they come. She told me that in the admissions interview she was asked about being sexually active (which of course, she was not) and that she felt very uncomfortable about the line of questionning. I would like to know if GCC Admissions still does this.
3. Since 9/11 hundreds of thousands of brave, patriotic Americans have volunteered to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan (I will not defend the leadership of the war, but instead will leave that to others). Out of gratitude for their efforts, in 2008 the Government passed the Post 9/11 GI Bill so that these National Heroes would be able to afford college. But guess what? GCC does not accept federal funding so the GI Bill (which these people risked their lives to attain) is useless. I personally know two Desert Storm veterans who qualified under an earlier GI Bill, were accepted at GCC, went to orientation, were asked about payment of tuition, and when told they planned to use the GI Bill they were emphatically told “no way.”
Bottom line – GCC does not support our troops and their patriotism is questionnable.
GCC has a well deserved reputation for being a solid academic school, but other aspects of the school are troubling.