I don't think suspention is a good lesson. I think it will only enrage students. If students, both the cheerleaders and others, are to understand why this was offensive, another angle should have and still can be taken. The girls should have either been required to attend a sexual assult/rape awarness seminar or speak with some rape survivors OR be required to coordinate, with assistance a panel discussion or seminar for the school. This would turn an unforuniate incident into something positive that not only could enlighten students, but also educate them.

And you may call me insensitive, but the word rape has multiple defintions. (See below) And in the case of a football game rape^1 defintion 2, is somewhat applicable. Even though it may not be the current in-your-mind definition when you first hear the word.

~Artimis

From Webster's New World Dictionary

rape^1: n. [prob. <L. rapere, seize] 1. the crime of having sexual intercourse with a woman forcibly and without her consent. 2. the plundering (of a city, etc.), as in warfare -- vt. raped, raping 1. to commite rape on; ravish 2. to plunder or destroy - vt to commit rape -- rapist n.

rape^2: n. [< L. rapa, turnip] a plant of the mustard family, whose leaves are used for fodder.