THIS WEEK saw a continuation of two debates on the letters page: the debate over architecture on campus and one about the single sanction punishment for honor violations.
Many letter writers were responding to other letter writers, and it became somewhat convoluted to follow the flurry of opinions and facts being flung back and forth. Sometimes it was difficult to remember what started the whole mess in the first place.
But what was very disconcerting to read was when some letter writers accused other letter writers of getting basic facts wrong.
The Cavalier Daily has a responsibility to fairly represent the feelings of readers and letter writers, but that does not mean they can or should print every single letter they receive.
Further, when possible, everything stated as fact in a letter should be reported on and independently verified. For example, a letter writer accused the architecture department of not teaching basic classical architecture, which was refuted by a professor writing in later. It was disappointing to me to find arguments over fact -- and not even facts that could be colored by opinion -- being debated in place of ideas and visions.
Incomplete reporting
Two articles ran last week about an incident where a group of young men approached a fraternity house where a party was dying out and allegedly started fighting with those involved inside? ("IFC reacts to weekend violence," Sept. 22; "SAE alleges violence at party," Sept. 21". Whether or not there was violence has been disputed in various accounts.
The police came, but did not make any arrests and did not file an incident report, according to The Cavalier Daily's reporting.
I find it very difficult to believe that nobody at the party knew who the people were, and that the beating, if it indeed happened, was completely unprovoked.
If that was indeed the case, the reporter should have made it explicitly clear that many people who were at the party who were questioned did not know the attackers.
Some readers were upset that there was no description of the youths involved. I think a description at the very least is warranted of those involved, who are still unidentified as of press time.
The Cavalier Daily might have been taking extra precautions regarding describing the suspects to avoid any appearance that race was a factor in their reporting -- no matter what race the students involved were. But the community deserves at least a basic description of those involved.
This way, at the very least, if someone with more information recognizes that they know the youths, they have the opportunity to speak up and notify police or campus authorities.
Help me to help you
I want to use the last third of my column space to remind readers that this position was created at least in part so that the students who run the newspaper can have more of a relationship with their readers.
What do you want from your student newspaper? What are they missing? What don't you understand about the way the editors make their decisions?
That's where I come in. I'm your guide to this paper, so I'm encouraging you to e-mail me with your comments and suggestions. I'd even like to hear what you have to say about my opinions.
Now the ball's rolling, and you first yearshave had a chance to read your paper for a few weeks. Time to get involved. I'm here to help.
Lisa Fleisher can be reached at ombud@cavalierdaily.com.
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