BYU NewsNet - Onlookers Respond to Student Outcry

Bystanders at Friday’s demonstration in Brigham Square included students, alumni and campus visitors, many of whom looked on in interest and some who looked on in confusion.

Reactions were generally of approval, though some admitted the demonstration was probably futile.

“I think it’s great that people can have their opinion and voice it,” said Mitch McCrary, a BYU grad who now lives in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“I’m glad it’s happening, it kind of makes me feel like I’m at a real college,” said Glade Bouman, a 19-year-old Utah native majoring in political science.

One BYU grad walked through the crowd with his small children enjoying a campus visit. He didn’t know what was happening, but once the story was explained to him he was willing to express an opinion.

He said that as long has Todd Hendricks went through the proper channels of expressing his grievance and was still ignored, he then had a legitimate right to go public with his argument.

Other students echoed those feelings.

“Good for them — it’s good to see a group get together to stand up for something,” said Zachary Christensen, a BYU student from Colorado.

Joe Rappleye, who is studying at the Marriott School, said that it could possibly change things.

“Someone around here is trying to make a difference … maybe it will embarrass people in the administration,” he said.

The brother of famous BYU student and well-known MTV Real World personality Julie Stoffer said these types of demonstrations really don’t make a difference.

“This is a lost cause. We went through this to no avail for Julie Stoffer,” said Alan Stoffer, an economics major.

History major Curtis Smith couldn’t agree more.

“They’re just jumping on the bandwagon. It’s kind of like punk rock — it’s supposed to be anti-establishment, but it’s really just the establishment,” he said. “People really just want to protest something.”

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