What did you come to SCAD to learn about? If you asked any number of students, most of them would likely answer they came to learn the skills necessary to find quality jobs in the fields that interest them and to develop their work and their thematic visions as artists. But there is another lesson that can stem from studies at this institution, a lesson that might not immediately be readily obvious. Through critiques and workshops, we as peers work as a group to collectively help each other better understand the faults of our art in an effort to perfect ourselves as practitioners of our talents. Inside this process, as we examine and critique each other’s pieces, the lesson we learn is to respect each other as artists no matter our differences of opinion, style or attitude.
But respect isn’t always as prevalent as it should be in the halls of SCAD-Atlanta. An aspect of respecting a person is respecting their right to property and ownership. Ask anyone who has been a victim of theft or robbery, and they will often tell you the hardest part of the ordeal is the inescapable feeling of violation that comes when you realize someone has been rummaging through your home or your car and has taken something valuable or precious. Thievery has, as of late, reared its filthy head at SCAD-Atlanta. This is simply atrocious, inexcusable and should cease immediately.
Pay no mind, for a moment, to the moral issue of it all. Instead, just ask yourself, is it worth stealing that iPod and being caught doing so by the security cameras? How will you explain to your parents that you were kicked out of SCAD for trying to steal something? What about all that money that’s now been wasted, with no degree to show for it?
And what will you tell employers when they ask about these blemishes on your record about police reports saying you were guilty of theft? Would you hire someone who had engaged in such activity? The consequences of being caught are often harsh and unforgiving; there is no escape from the stigma from being accurately labeled as a thief.
It’s even sadder when students’ artistic projects are stolen. Stealing other artists’ work shows a complete lack of respect for fellow peers. Just a few weeks ago, a student’s art project was stolen from right outside the Hub, and the culprit is likely facing expulsion. The victimized student said in casual conversation that he was sad to hear that someone might be expelled over something as foolish as theft. This kind of behavior is not a characteristic of SCAD students. We, as students at this institution, should strive for a higher standard and should display a level of maturity that exceeds this terrible behavior. Stealing is a crime, and criminals are justly punished.
We at The Connector know that it is not the prevailing character of students to steal, and that those who do abide by the law far outnumber those who disregard it and violate basic moral tenants. Nevertheless, a few bad apples will not stain the honest and distinguished reputation of this school. We know students here are capable of proving themselves mature, reasoned, educated, but most of all: respectable.
How would you react if someone decided to unlawfully take a project you had poured gallons of sweat and tears into creating? How betrayed and violated would you feel? Let’s put an end to stealing.
