University of Utah student newspaper prank prompts administration to put hold on transcripts

Utah students pull goodbye prank in campus paper

SALT LAKE CITY — A prank literally spelled out in the University of Utah student newspaper has prompted administrators to put a hold on nine students’ transcripts.

The seniors wrote goodbye columns for The Daily Utah Chronicle’s April 28 edition. The first letter of each column is in larger type; together, they spell out two words referring to genitalia. One is penis; the other is a derogatory word for female genitalia.

Editor Rachel Hanson says she’s concerned the administration’s response could violate freedom of the press.

A university official says the holds will be taken off each student’s file once they meet with the associate dean of students to discuss the matter.

Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, www.sltrib.com