To the administration at Villa Julie College: Stop Pre-judging Your Students!

We, the undersigned, are writing to ask you to consider accepting Christopher Rooney back into your college. This is a person who spent the last two years going to Villa Julie before being unrightfully expelled for a mere comment on his Facebook website, in which he stated he would "follow up his latest video with a bang," and unfairly treated by an appeals board that just didn't care about him.

We have known this person during those two years he was here, and he has never struck any of us as the kind of person who would be a danger to himself or others. He's just a friendly guy who says a lot of crazy things, but he only wants to make us laugh and smile. We know he's not a bad person, he just simply made a mistake, and he's sorry for it. He shouldn't have to pay more than he has to for it, but that's exactly what's happening, and it's sickening us.

So what if his videos were offensive? A lot of other people in the Film, Video and Theater major have made offensive material. One person's senior project actually depicts realistic violence in a very serious tone. Should he have to be denied the right to graduate because of that? No. And neither should a student who depicts certain subjects with a sense of humor. All he was trying to do was look at things from a humorous point of view. If one person can depict violence and torture in a serious tone for his senior project, why can't another person depict suicide in a humorous tone for his video project?

And as for the postings on Facebook? So, when someone says the word "bang" or "shoot" or makes any references to guns on a Facebook website, that's grounds for expulsion? His status update was clearly just a figure of speech, and only meant as a figure of speech. If you're going to expel him for comments on a Facebook site that can be taken as threats, then you should expel nearly half of the film, video, and theater majors in your school because they make comments on Facebook that can be taken as threats too. It's true. People make these kinds of comments all the time with absolutely NO intent to threaten anyone! He has mentioned many times that nothing he has ever written was ever intended to be threatening. He has admitted countless times that he made a mistake in assuming that no one would take it seriously, and he has been apologetic ever since. Isn't it time you forgive him? If you don't forgive him for something that he has made so clear was a mistake, you are no better than anyone who actually would threaten the school. At all.

There is one more thing about him that wasn't known until the appeals hearing. He suffers from a social disorder known as Asperger's Syndrome. He was diagnosed with it when he was born. It's a disease that causes him to say things without thinking most of the time. The board of appeals knew this, and yet they still decided to expel him. He is convinced that they may have used the fact that he has this disease as an excuse to be scared of him and see him as a threat despite him insisting on many occasions that he is not, and despite five other students testifying for him. If he is not allowed back, then this will only convince him even more and it will be grounds for a lawsuit that will cost this school a lot of money, because that board of appeals has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is a serious offense.

In conclusion, we ask that you find it in your heart to forgive a man who has made a few mistakes and is sorry for each and every one of them. If you can allow him back to finish his semester, it will be the best decision you will ever make as President, and it will make your college appear good in the eyes of others. We know you can do the right thing and give this person another chance to get the education that he deserves. With a high grade point average, a strong work ethic, and an all-around friendly personality, we see no reason why he shouldn't be allowed back. All we ask is that you allow him back.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned