Here is the reply I received from Pres. Bud
Ms. Walker,
Many thanks for your input on this matter. As reported in the press, the student involved has been issued a "citation for vandalism" and we do not plan to press criminal charges. He has also been referred to the Office of Student Integrity, and will be put through the student judicial process here on campus, which provides an opportunity for a panel of students to make recommendations on the appropriate sanctions.
While I understand your position, our principal concern is for the safety of our students. Having students climbing around on a very steep and slippery rooftop in the middle of the night presents a very dangerous situation, particularly if they have been participating in some other activities before doing so. As a result, Georgia Tech as an institution, and I as President, must take that the impact of any actions we might take into account. Simply put, I could not live with myself if a student fell and was injured or killed because of some the desire to support a "tradition." That said, we will see where the student judicial process takes us.
All the best and thanks for the continued support of Georgia Tech.
Regards,
BP
G.P. "Bud" Peterson, President
Georgia Institute of Technology
225 North Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30332-0325
Ph: 404-894-5051
Fax: 404-894-1277
http://www.gatech.edu/president/
http://www.me.gatech.edu/faculty/peterson