Rutgers football scandal ‘makes the entire school look bad,’ students say

As word broke on the Rutgers campus of charges against and the suspension of five active Rutgers football players, students showed no remorse for their allegedly-involved peers. They were more interested in protecting the image of their school.

"People that are here for athletic reasons...do crazy things and expect sympathy," said senior Jackie Mendez outside the Livingston Student Center.

Mendez said the only publicity her school tends to receive is negative, but no attention is paid to Rutgers' groundbreaking research or philanthropic ventures.

"When they do things like these, it just makes the entire school look bad," added senior Jay Gangi. "(The players) should be more responsible because they are the face of the school."

Gangi supported the school's decision to suspend the alleged parties for their involvement in a home invasion and/or an unprovoked street assault in April. The suspensions were announced shortly after the charges early Thursday.

"I think it puts a bad light on Rutgers as a whole," junior Alexis Vivona said.

Her friend, Hallie, who has season tickets for Rutgers football, said this is bad timing for the program. The season launches Saturday afternoon at High Point Solutions Stadium.