About the only good thing that can be said about the four Slippery Rock University students charged with breaking into and vandalizing the Robert M. Smith Student Center is that, upon questioning by SRU police, they confessed and returned stolen property.

Right-thinking people have to wonder why the four men did something so irresponsible and stupid.

As SRU students, they have had the opportunity to position their lives for a bright future. What they now have is a criminal record that will stick with them and negatively affect their lives for years.

At some point, they forgot why they were at Slippery Rock. Perhaps the court proceedings that they will face will put them on a correct path — even if not at Slippery Rock.

The Smith Student Center, which is under construction on the SRU campus, is destined to be a great campus asset. But the four students’ criminal actions, including the thefts tied to the vandalism, represent a temporary setback for the new facility.

Individuals who can’t respect the campus shouldn’t be students there.

The four charged demonstrated that they aren’t worthy of calling themselves members of the Slippery Rock University community.

According to an article in Wednesday’s Butler Eagle, the damage tied to the incident has been estimated at above $5,000. Combined with fines and court costs, it’s to be hoped the four individuals will face financial obligations that will not soon be forgotten.

“This is truly a building for students and a much-needed and welcome addition to our campus,” said Charles Curry, acting SRU president, in a statement.

The four individuals in question aren’t worthy of experiencing its benefits.

Cheer Government spending continues to undergo increasing scrutiny as taxpayers experience ongoing difficulty in making ends meet in their own households.But there should not be any complaints about an extra $37,000 given to the Butler County Federated Library System by the county commissioners. The money in question, which is above the county’s annual $240,000 library system contribution, has been put to good use by library officials.The money is the foundation for five new databases that became available last month to library patrons via the system’s website, www.bcfls.org.As an article in Thursday’s Butler Eagle reported, the new databases will make it easier for library patrons to prepare a will, write a resume, repair a vehicle or take an online course.“They (commissioners) gave us the money to put to good use, and we’ve given it back to the community,” said Peggy Tseng, system administrator.Library officials and the county commissioners both deserve praise for this positive initiative that hopefully will be heavily used.

Cheer In filling a vacancy on the Buffalo Township Board of Supervisors, the supervisors made a good point when they appointed Ron Zampogna Jr., 37, to fill the seat left open by the resignation of Dan Przybylek.It was noted by Supervisor Gary Risch that it was in the township’s best interests to appoint what he described as “young blood” to township management and decision making. The other supervisors are either in their 60s or older.Continuity surrounding the township’s direction is necessary, and one good way of achieving that is through a mix of age and experience.In addition to being younger than other board members, Zampogna brings to the board experience as a developer, which should benefit the growing municipality.It’s to be hoped that the positive local government experience Zampogna gains in serving the remainder of Przybylek’s term will make him want to continue his service after his appointed term ends.As the board’s older members opt to retire in the future, it would be in the township’s best interests if a mix of individuals age-wise would vie for those seats, including James Lee, 55, who was the only other applicant for Przybylek’s seat.For Zampogna, his appointment represents a new opportunity for himself. But that’s also true regarding township residents.“I think I can contribute,” Zampogna said. Township residents are hopeful of good results emanating from the vote of confidence directed toward him.