By Rachel Lenberger

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.– She thought she was only doing what was best for her daughter, little did she know, she would be going to prison for it.

Penn State students believe actress Felicity Huffman’s received a fair sentence after she pleaded guilty to paying someone $15,000 to have a proctor correct her daughter’s answers on her college entrance exam. 

“I hope she learned her lesson, but I don’t think she’s a criminal and putting her in prison for longer than that would harm her,” senior Sabrina Marinucci said.

In addition to Huffman’s sentence of two weeks in prison, she also received a $30,000 fine and 250 hours of community service.

Rachel Hanzelik, a senior accounting major, showed anger and frustration when hearing the news.

“I think her sentence should be six months because two weeks seems like nothing, she won’t get any discipline for her actions,” Hanzelik said. “As students, we struggle to get into schools and pay to go to one so it doesn’t seem fair.”

Huffman is among dozens of other wealthy parents and celebrities who have participated in this scandal of bribing prestigious schools to accept their children. Lori Loughlin is another famous actress caught for bribery, but pleaded not guilty.

“I think her sentence is fair since she pleaded guilty and admitted to doing wrong,” senior Emily Booz said. “On the other hand, Lori Loughlin should go to jail for a lot longer because she pleaded not guilty.”

A question has been raised if Huffman’s sentence is lenient due to her wealth and fame, and if she were from an impoverished background or of a different ethnicity, would she have received a harsher sentence.

State College criminal defense attorney, Matt Mclenahen, considers Huffman’s sentencing fair since she has cooperated throughout the investigation and her chances of committing a crime again are unlikely. 

“In the federal system, defendants are rewarded greatly for pleading guilty when it comes to sentencing,” Mclenahen said. “When you plead guilty and accept responsibility, your sentence is going to be a lot less.”

Huffman claims that she is deeply ashamed of what she has done and was ordered to report to prison by Oct. 25.

“I personally do think her sentence is fair because she owned up to her mistake and handled her situation with more grace,” senior Erin Reed said. “She is clearly trying to move on from the situation.”