In response to Pavan Vangipuram’s Alcohol use in E.L. warrants serious consideration (SN 9/22), I’ve been reading the same judgmental columns in The State News about anyone who drinks alcohol since I was a freshman. But every writer seems to miss something crucial: It is pointless to try to change someone else’s behavior by shaming and criticizing them. Frankly, if someone else’s behavior isn’t hurting you, why is it even your business? Vangipuram even admits the next morning any evidence of debauchery is cleared away and presumably he is free to go about his daily routine.

I sympathize with the complaint of MSU being known as a party school devoid of academically oriented students, particularly as a senior frustrated by the top-tier companies who regard MSU as a “non-target” school unworthy of serious recruitment. But instead of judging other students, I choose to study and work hard to launch a successful career, which hopefully will improve the reputation of the university. I urge Vangipuram and any other like-minded students to spend their own time starting new student organizations, promoting political causes and publicizing the programs and students capable of putting MSU on the map instead of waxing rhapsodic about “voluptuous female(s) wretchedly vomiting.”