The Providence College props are about
where the connection between The OC and PC ends for now, however.
Regardless of rumors, The OC does not have any plans to film episodes
on the Providence College campus.
"While there is some suggestion
that PC will become a part of the story line for several more episodes,
at this time no requests or commitments have been made to do any
future filming on the PC campus," Vieira said.
Vieira said that this is mostly due
to the fact that the writers for the show haven't decided where
the plotline is going.
"As far as we have been told,
no scenes at Providence College have been written into the script,"
she said. "Right now there are no plans for the show to come
to campus."
Despite this information, most students
at PC have heard quite the opposite around campus from a variety
of sources, leading to confusion and misleading information dominating
the facts.
In a recent issue of "The Congress
Connection," the Student Congress newsletter, representative
Dave Socha '08 began his write-up of upcoming events and news for
the sophomore class with a chant of "Mischa, Mischa, Mischa"
in reference to one of the female stars of The OC, Mischa Barton.
Socha then went on to tell his classmates
that The OC would be coming to film four episodes of the show in
December at "our beloved Providence College" before assuring
them that if Mischa Barton went to PC, she would probably like a
Class of 2008 blanket like the ones the class is selling.
Socha said that he did not desire to
comment on his written inaccuracy regarding The OC coming to Providence
College when he was contacted.
Lauren Michel '07 puts together the
newsletter. She said that the purpose of "The Congress Connection"
is to "provide helpful information about class events to students,"
not to print hearsay information or spread rumors. She did note,
though, that the publication is read by a member of the administration
before it is distributed to students.
"If Dave didn't know that this
was true, he shouldn't have written it because it probably added
a lot to the confusion," she said. "At the same time though,
nobody from the school brought it to our attention that the information
wasn't correct."
The confusion has even spread outside
of campus to prospective students.
On Saturday morning, Cara Steffey '06,
a member of the Friars Club, was giving a tour to prospective students
and their parents when she asked, "Do any of you watch The
OC? They're coming to film a bunch of episodes here in December."
Steffey did not wish to make a comment regarding the tour she gave
last Saturday.
The college did not ask members of
the Friars Club to promote information about The OC filming at Providence
College at any point.
While giving tours, members of the
club normally convey information to prospective students that is
factual and verified by the administration.
Though Providence College was contacted
about supplying The OC with props months ago, the first mention
to students of a connection between The OC and PC occurred at a
dinner on Oct. 25 with Father Shanley and members of Student Congress.
"When Father Shanley casually
brought up The OC, we were all shocked because so many people here
watch it," said Matthew Weber '06, Student Congress president.
"Any reference to PC on the show would be a huge thing for
Providence College."
Steffey agreed, saying, "While
I don't think mention of Providence College on The OC would affect
decisions of students to come here or not if they are already touring
the school, it might reach out to sophomores or juniors in high
school that are just beginning to think about college. They might
be more apt to look at Providence."
Despite what may potentially change
in the future, Providence College's fans of The OC won't be seeing
Ryan, Seth, Summer, or Marissa strolling through the quad anytime
soon.
