Editor’s note: This article was written by Chris Zukauskas in Nov. 1969. I found this article interesting because it’s about an epidemic of rumors at Blackburn almost 50 years ago. It’s fascinating to know the problems from 50 years ago and see if they’re still relevant.
What exactly constitutes a rumor at Blackburn? The rumors that pass here are actually no different from any others; they have the same basic elements as any other rumor: 1) some degree of truth and 2) increasing momentum as personal interpretation and imagination are added. This is what constitutes a B.U. rumor. One may now question why Blackburn is plagued with such a high degree of rumors, for, in truth, most everyone is in agreement to the fact that Blackburn has more than its fair share.
There are two main elements which seem to be responsible for the rumor problem. The first is the lack of outside intellectual and social stimulation. There are few creative ways for students to work out frustrations. They become trapped in the Den-syndrome of snipping at fellow students and administration. The rumor is the prime example of this method of releasing pent-up emotions.
The second element in the rumor problem is the lack of honest communication between students and administration. This results in general paranoia. Each group seems to be protective of its own position, while at the same time desiring to extend its rights and privileges. This created a tension which distorts actions taken by either the students or administration. Any action is viewed with suspicion and defenses tighten as information is passed from person to person.
The situation to which the rumor problem points is of major importance for what it says about the tension on campus. If nothing is done to alleviate this problem and the tension it is producing, only greater problems will evolve, and will be more difficult to cope with since the basic problem may then be so hidden that it will be nearly impossible to see.