Over the past couple of weeks the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy each released a video parody of the famous PSY video, “Gangnam Style”. If you don’t know what “Gangnam Style” is then, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to try to explain it. Just GO HERE and see for yourself.
To say that the videos from USNA and USMMA are both smash hits is an understatement. The USNA video has racked up over 6 million hits on Youtube, partially in thanks to being featured on NBC’s Today Show and the general power of being first. The USMMA video now stands at 53,000 views since hitting the web less than two weeks ago.
WATCH: Gangnam Style Parody Videos – USMMA vs. USNA
For most, both videos were and continue to be very well received in the comment sections by alumni and the general public alike with most of the comments praising the students for their creativity and the professional quality of execution.
There have been, however, a select few of you who think the videos are a disgrace and some even going as far as saying that the students should be disciplined and any faculty who sanctioned the production of the videos fired.
And now today, gCaptain has been told that SUNY Maritime College in New York is telling students that the production of such a video is in violation of the school’s rules on student-made videos (see comment section below) and will not be permitted. Now we don’t know if a SUNY Maritime-made “Gangnam Style” video parody is in the works or what, if anything, sparked today’s crackdown.
But, all things considered, do you think this is a fair request or does SUNY Maritime need get with the times and let the kids Gangnam Style? Let us know by voting in the polls and discussing in the comments.
PSY is not happy with this!
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The following is the official email:
Greetings Students -
With the recent production of college videos promoting the “Gangnam Style” song, we would like to be ahead of the curve and prevent any mishaps that would cause embarrassment to the college and/or you, the student. Please see the guidelines below, which are effective immediately. Please feel free to contact my office should you have any questions.
Guidelines and Standards for Student Made Videos
Videos must not contain material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement;
Videos must not disparage Maritime College, staff, faculty or students;
Videos must not contain brand names/trademarks by companies, vendors and/or other institutions including Maritime College;
This includes improper wearing of uniforms or Maritime gear, or using the Residence Halls, training ship, and/or college property for staging in any way that brings discredit to the college;
Videos must not contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene, hateful, tortious, defamatory, slanderous or libelous; or promote bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age;
Videos must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations in any state where Video is created;
Videos must be student’s own original creation—absolutely no copyrighted video or images may be used;
Videos must not infringe on any third party rights;
All content in videos must be appropriate for all age groups;
All participants and individuals that are featured in student’s video must have consented to being in the video;
Student grants Maritime College the permission to use student’s video for any promotional purposes;
Student grants Maritime College permission to edit the video, make clips of the video and use it in any of Maritime College’s promotional videos.
Failure to abide by these guidelines and standards can result in disciplinary action as set forth in the Student Handbook and the Rules and Regulations Manual for the Regiment of Cadets. The administration strongly suggests that students wishing to make a video consult with the Office of Student Life and/or the Regimental Office.
Thank you,
Irene
Nice draconian ‘Guidelines and standards’. Guess they have rules over there after all.
“Student grants Maritime College the permission to use student’s video for any promotional purposes;
Student grants Maritime College permission to edit the video, make clips of the video and use it in any of Maritime College’s promotional videos.”
Your video must be fully your own creation, which we can then steal from you….
Cal Maritime Academy needs to organize the making of one of these Gangnam Style parody videos to represent the West Coast!!
There was a NYM video in the works that was being run by an IDO with a large group of people being recruited. The IDO running the video was then emailed by the president of the college, RADM Wendi Carpenter, forbidding him to complete such a video. This was followed up with the mass email sent to the entire campus.
Oh, who cares? Fun videos, good times with classmates and potential combat buddies? SUNY Maritime needs to lighten up. Period. Oh, and by the way, hey Mike! CUA 2007 here.
Amazing how we can’t have a fun video but they can film this on campus….
http://youtu.be/ajExqERK0p8
That makes sense!
It’s just a shame that old fashion military rivalry is squashed by the administration. The rules and regs they pull out of the air when convenient actually in this case will hurt the school more than a fun moral boosting video. Caution will be taken when any often trial future students are looking for a maritime school…..Maine and Mass maritime here we come! You can keep NY!
Serves them right. Everyone who goes to a maritime academy knows that having fun is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. demerits for all!
Pretty much sums up the poor morale and school spirit. Way to go admin. For a school so concerned about their PR image, they’re pretty inept when it comes to realizing that stuff like this gets the school more attention than anything from people who might actually pay money to attend.
I thought the videos very entertaining and well done! There are a lot more things wrong with what goes on at those schools than this and it’s probably done by the people that take issue with this excellent parody.
This just in as a response to the email…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQoGRWfyfDk&feature=plcp
Though I do not agree with the position of the administration, I understand their need to conform to rigid political correctness. When I was at SUNY Maritime there was a significant population of foreign national students, including Koreans. This potential video could be construed as offensive to some. I find the videos to be awesome and entertaining, however, I could see how a very conservative individual or organization of influence could deem a Gangnam Style video has offensive and the administration would not want to hurt any type of potential revenue stream.
Also there was a movie that was filmed about a homosexual love affair on a maritime campus came out a while ago. The administration was unaware of the storyline of the movie. So I can see how the administration is on edge.
Quite the contrary, A friend of mine was in Korea for a business conference last week, and the keynote speaker, who was Korean himself, made many jokes about the video, and even danced on stage for a moment. They see it as a pop culture phenomenon, just as we do.
Truly this is just one more step in the direction that the school has been going since she came into power. If you take into consideration the different rules that she applied since her first semester of being in command. I thank god only had one year of having to deal with the more strict Admiral. I personally think it is outrageous that the schools adim would even bother them selves with this crap. Really how about they work on more important things, not like a video of this would be offensive to anyone. If any one would take offense to a recreation of this music video then they obviously are to sensitive for society.
Yes the new rules have gotten ridiculous. There were plenty of existing rules that just needed to be enforced. Upplerclassman can’t wait to get out. Admiral needs to realize that SUNY is not a military school, students are paying to be there and you can only take the military cr*p so far….. The negative environment is downplaying the real beauty of the school and its unique educational experience