In response to the last post, someone gives a thoughtful response and sort-of apology to Kari. Kudos -- it certainly matters to get serious responses. Of course, one has to wonder why the newspaper doesn't issue serious responses -- instead, someone who fears she may get in trouble posts on this blog and the devil's advocate. Where are the serious responses in the newspaper?
Which leads to another question: in the response to the Censorship? post, the author makes the comment that the newspaper is supposed to be about news. No doubt! So where does an "op/ed" about rape being a way for ugly women to get laid or to pass time in prison fit into this mission of the newspaper? Where does a comic strip about peeing on a 14-year-old Latina fit under the rubric of "news"? I'd like to believe that those on the paper are learning, but it isn't abundantly clear at this point that learning has occurred. Instead, it seems that the paper is mocking students and trying to sweep this latest fiasco under the rug. Fortunately, many are not letting that happen -- and it is newsworthy to report on it. In fact, it may go a long way to do some real investigative journalism into racism, sexism, and homophobia on campus.
Which leads to an idea: rather than asking all of these people to come to the Recorder and write stories, why don't Recorder staff writers take the initiative and go get the stories that affect and interest their peers? After all, I know I wouldn't want to be in the same room alone with Mark Rowan, given that he's shown nothing but disdain for women, people of color, and queer folks. Rather than insisting that the disgruntled people come and write for the Recorder (and when they do, they get edited out for writing "opinion" rather than news...), how about the staff writers going to get the stories? As it stands now, the "newspaper" is really little more than Rowan & Co. opinion. Just because you call it a newspaper doesn't mean it really is one....
But to the one who wrote in to the blog -- thanks. I do appreciate your sincerity and agree that you should be disappointed that the story was edited down. That shows a sense of responsibility often unseen in the newspaper. If only others on the staff were equally interested in creating a real newspaper.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Censorship?
So I guess only Rowan-approved writers can write about the cartoon fiasco in The Recorder? In this week's issue, a staff writer penned a decent article about continued fallout, although she clearly sides with the Pres, who of course supports First Amendment rights to the exclusion of all other rights. (Curious....) But Kari Sledzik's intelligent article on Jena 6, while published, has been cleansed of any connection between racism in Jena, LA and racism at CCSU. (You can find the original article and the excised content at the devil's advocate.) One might argue that Rowan & co. were doing their jobs as editors ... but it appears that the "editors" really didn't want to connect the dots and are ashamed and embarrassed to admit that what they published is not much better than hanging a noose in a tree. Racism is racism, crimes are crimes, and the right to free press is not a free pass to print any ol' thing. With rights come responsibilities, yet no one wants to hold people responsible for their actions.
Of course, real journalists are not afraid to ask the question, Is Jena America? Good for Kari, who at least tried to make the connections. Too bad her efforts were censored, and in her own newspaper.
Of course, real journalists are not afraid to ask the question, Is Jena America? Good for Kari, who at least tried to make the connections. Too bad her efforts were censored, and in her own newspaper.
Monday, September 24, 2007
From the mouths of REAL journalists
Mad ups to Stan Simpson, Bob Englehart, Timothy Chambers, and Bessy Reyna for their speaking out in the Courant -- now that's some free speech I can get behind because it 1) pushes us to think (no one is afraid of controversy, after all); 2) speaks truths without intimidating and harassing entire groups of people, thereby protecting the Fourteenth Amendment as well as the First; and 3) encourages real free speech, not Rowan-exclusive speech masquerading as free speech.
And Englehart is a cartoonist -- perhaps the one with the dog in this particular fight -- and he's speaking truth to power about publishing, controversy, and responsibility. If only I were a journalism major at CCSU...well...I still aspire to work with the likes of such conscientious and thoughtful people with whom I may not agree but with whom I can enjoy an intelligent discussion about rights -- and what is the right thing to do.
Right(s) on!!
And Englehart is a cartoonist -- perhaps the one with the dog in this particular fight -- and he's speaking truth to power about publishing, controversy, and responsibility. If only I were a journalism major at CCSU...well...I still aspire to work with the likes of such conscientious and thoughtful people with whom I may not agree but with whom I can enjoy an intelligent discussion about rights -- and what is the right thing to do.
Right(s) on!!
Sick and tired ... of being sick and tired
Is anyone else out there as frustrated and disgusted with President Miller's constant defense of Mark Rowan's rights? At every turn, he's talking about the First Amendment. That's great -- we need to talk about First Amendment. But he's spouting off about rights -- what about responsibilities that accompany those rights? And what about my Fourteenth Amendment rights?? Where are those when he's talking about constitutional protections?
I don't have his latest missive to the entire CCSU community but when I do, I'll post it -- in it, he asks us to look to the positives, everything CCSU has done right. Is he trying to convince us that the constant hostile workplace climate at Central is old news like Rowan & co.? Methinks he's not paying attention for a reason. Like naming names, this "focus on the positive, ignore the negative" is a diversionary tactic. Keep the pressure on! This is OUR campus -- WE have rights, too!!
I don't have his latest missive to the entire CCSU community but when I do, I'll post it -- in it, he asks us to look to the positives, everything CCSU has done right. Is he trying to convince us that the constant hostile workplace climate at Central is old news like Rowan & co.? Methinks he's not paying attention for a reason. Like naming names, this "focus on the positive, ignore the negative" is a diversionary tactic. Keep the pressure on! This is OUR campus -- WE have rights, too!!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Putting that censorship out there
Kudos for whoever started the blog of stories rejected by the CCSU quote/unquote editors, Rowan & Co. It is sheer genius to put it out there -- after all, Rowan himself put it out there that students could publish in their newspaper (file that under "D" for "duh" because it is the STUDENT newspaper). Turns out, however, that he doesn't want students to write about the latest Rowan-sponsored fiasco.
And when Stan "I live for the First Amendment" Simpson at the Courant gives you a First-Amendment Smackdown, you know you are in a heap o' trouble. Kudos to Stan -- he's joined the legions of folks embarrassed by the Recorder and even suggests, albeit in a veiled way, that there may be something to be done about this gross overstepping of boundaries.
And really, who is going to hire these folks associated with the Recorder once they're out of school? First, CCSU seems a joke. The Recorder has made it so becuase CCSU is only in the news when Rowan et al make it so. Second, if you really want a career in journalism, The Recorder isn't helping you -- in fact, many would argue that it is alienating you. Who in their right journalistic mind would hire you if this is the kind of publicity you attract? Some at The Recorder surely want more than a good "nana-boo-boo" at the Establishment that can't touch 'em. Right?? We'll see.... Maybe some will wise up and vote Rowan out of office before he can do more damage to their future careers.
Or perhaps those who have been denied the right to publish in their own student newspaper will take it to the Media Board and demand to know why this Board is holding over $150,000 of student money for the newspaper but not letting students who paid those fees access the platform of free speech that is valued over all other rights. (If the current line-up is correct, there are open student spots on that board....) And a gander at the Media Board Constitution can only embolden the cause. Of course, if you cannot access controversial articles anymore, it may be because some on the Media Board have deemed them too controversial. (just scroll down to that about some Toyota Prius ad...clearly the most offensive that the paper has to offer!) And you might want to know why the latest minutes of Media Board meetings is in July 2007. Have they not met since then? And if not, where are the minutes of these meetings?
And when Stan "I live for the First Amendment" Simpson at the Courant gives you a First-Amendment Smackdown, you know you are in a heap o' trouble. Kudos to Stan -- he's joined the legions of folks embarrassed by the Recorder and even suggests, albeit in a veiled way, that there may be something to be done about this gross overstepping of boundaries.
And really, who is going to hire these folks associated with the Recorder once they're out of school? First, CCSU seems a joke. The Recorder has made it so becuase CCSU is only in the news when Rowan et al make it so. Second, if you really want a career in journalism, The Recorder isn't helping you -- in fact, many would argue that it is alienating you. Who in their right journalistic mind would hire you if this is the kind of publicity you attract? Some at The Recorder surely want more than a good "nana-boo-boo" at the Establishment that can't touch 'em. Right?? We'll see.... Maybe some will wise up and vote Rowan out of office before he can do more damage to their future careers.
Or perhaps those who have been denied the right to publish in their own student newspaper will take it to the Media Board and demand to know why this Board is holding over $150,000 of student money for the newspaper but not letting students who paid those fees access the platform of free speech that is valued over all other rights. (If the current line-up is correct, there are open student spots on that board....) And a gander at the Media Board Constitution can only embolden the cause. Of course, if you cannot access controversial articles anymore, it may be because some on the Media Board have deemed them too controversial. (just scroll down to that about some Toyota Prius ad...clearly the most offensive that the paper has to offer!) And you might want to know why the latest minutes of Media Board meetings is in July 2007. Have they not met since then? And if not, where are the minutes of these meetings?
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Old news??
According to the folks at the devil's advocate, Rowan and Co. have decided that their cartoon episode is "old news." A student who wrote an article about the Jena 6 -- linking it to racism at CCSU -- has been rejected, denied the right to publish in her own student newspaper. Turns out, the "editors" are invoking their responsibilities as "editors" -- but only when it suits 'em.
For real -- say it along with me -- CENSORSHIP. Here's where the real censorship is. Turns out we can use both the First and Fourteenth Amendments to our favor!
Oh, and John Petroski's letter to the editor makes me laugh out loud. The boy who penned "Rape Only Hurts If You Fight It" wants you to know that he knows what equality's all about. Now that's thoughtful. Clearly he's learned a thing or two and wants to share it with all of us.
We have to demand our fees be returned. And we have to keep the pressure going.
For real -- say it along with me -- CENSORSHIP. Here's where the real censorship is. Turns out we can use both the First and Fourteenth Amendments to our favor!
Oh, and John Petroski's letter to the editor makes me laugh out loud. The boy who penned "Rape Only Hurts If You Fight It" wants you to know that he knows what equality's all about. Now that's thoughtful. Clearly he's learned a thing or two and wants to share it with all of us.
We have to demand our fees be returned. And we have to keep the pressure going.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Making headway
This just out from Carl Lovitt -- It is a step in the right direction, and one to be applauded. But let's not lose sight of the fact that the institution HAS fallen short and immediate remedies are needed. The Fourteenth Amendment is still in the Constitution, at least as of this posting.
Still, kudos for stepping into the right direction. Finally -- something beyond protecting Rowan and Co., as if theirs are the only rights to be protected.
Dear Colleagues,
Beyond the outrage occasioned by the Recorder’s publication of the offensive cartoon, I share with many others a deep concern about the implication that CCSU is not sensitive to racial diversity and respectful of difference and that it does not provide a safe environment for those who work and study here. These are serious allegations. Our mission statement explicitly states that “We foster a welcoming environment in which all members of our diverse community receive encouragement, feel safe, and acquire self-confidence.” If our institution has fallen short of meeting this essential responsibility to our community, then I believe it is our collective responsibility to take decisive steps to improve our environment.
Much has been made of the steps that our laws and Constitution prevent us from taking in response to the present situation, but there are clearly actions available that will allow us to make headway in becoming a more welcoming and supportive environment. I'd like to take a moment to outline some of the academic initiatives that I propose we pursue to this end.
As so much of the conflict at CCSU in the past year has centered on the student newspaper, an important first step will be to implement the recommendation from the Task Force on Journalistic Integrity to develop a proposal for a journalism major. Offering a journalism major will not only ensure the availability of more knowledgable and responsible journalists to staff our student newspaper but also lead to improvements in the quality of the Recorder's journalism. To that end, Dean Susan Pease has invited Dr. Susanne Shaw, Executive Director of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, which is the premier accrediting body for journalism programs, to visit the CCSU campus in March, to which she has tentatively agreed; she has also indicated that she will invite the former Dean of the Indiana University School of Journalism to accompany her. We look forward to supporting our faculty's efforts to develop a journalism proposal in the coming months, which we can review with our distinguished campus visitors in the spring.
I have also been especially sensitive over the past week to suggestions from several members of our community that we must do more to educate our students about the value of cultural sensitivity and respect for difference. Suggestions have included requiring all students to complete a course on diversity and introducing a diversity "module" in first-year experience courses. These suggestions are certainly worth considering, and there may be other viable curricular and pedagogical options that have not yet been proposed. Given our institution's mission, such academic initiatives should certainly be part of the solution. To this end, I propose to appoint an ad hoc committee of diverse faculty members, students, and alumni to develop recommendations for proposed curricular, co-curricular, and pedagogical initiatives to improve our students' sensitivity to diversity and respect for difference. I will consult with the University Senate and the AAUP concerning the committee's membership and charge, and I propose that the committee's recommendations be forwarded to the Curriculum Committee for review and action.
Finally, I would like to build on Jane Fried's recent assertion about the importance of experiential learning by suggesting that a proven approach to increasing our students' cultural sensitivity is to engage them in meaningful ways with diverse populations in our local community. Such efforts would make an important contribution to our university's commitment to community engagement. To this end, we have made arrangements with other institutions from the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education to offer an introductory workshop on "Service Learning" at CCSU on January 29, 2008. Following that workshop, we will invite CCSU faculty to submit proposals for service learning projects and courses, which will be funded with a generous grant from the Center for Public Policy and Social Research.
I thank you for considering these suggestions, to which I invite your response. I look forward to supporting all of your efforts to make CCSU a more welcoming and nurturing environment for everyone who works and studies here.
With good wishes,
Carl
Still, kudos for stepping into the right direction. Finally -- something beyond protecting Rowan and Co., as if theirs are the only rights to be protected.
Dear Colleagues,
Beyond the outrage occasioned by the Recorder’s publication of the offensive cartoon, I share with many others a deep concern about the implication that CCSU is not sensitive to racial diversity and respectful of difference and that it does not provide a safe environment for those who work and study here. These are serious allegations. Our mission statement explicitly states that “We foster a welcoming environment in which all members of our diverse community receive encouragement, feel safe, and acquire self-confidence.” If our institution has fallen short of meeting this essential responsibility to our community, then I believe it is our collective responsibility to take decisive steps to improve our environment.
Much has been made of the steps that our laws and Constitution prevent us from taking in response to the present situation, but there are clearly actions available that will allow us to make headway in becoming a more welcoming and supportive environment. I'd like to take a moment to outline some of the academic initiatives that I propose we pursue to this end.
As so much of the conflict at CCSU in the past year has centered on the student newspaper, an important first step will be to implement the recommendation from the Task Force on Journalistic Integrity to develop a proposal for a journalism major. Offering a journalism major will not only ensure the availability of more knowledgable and responsible journalists to staff our student newspaper but also lead to improvements in the quality of the Recorder's journalism. To that end, Dean Susan Pease has invited Dr. Susanne Shaw, Executive Director of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, which is the premier accrediting body for journalism programs, to visit the CCSU campus in March, to which she has tentatively agreed; she has also indicated that she will invite the former Dean of the Indiana University School of Journalism to accompany her. We look forward to supporting our faculty's efforts to develop a journalism proposal in the coming months, which we can review with our distinguished campus visitors in the spring.
I have also been especially sensitive over the past week to suggestions from several members of our community that we must do more to educate our students about the value of cultural sensitivity and respect for difference. Suggestions have included requiring all students to complete a course on diversity and introducing a diversity "module" in first-year experience courses. These suggestions are certainly worth considering, and there may be other viable curricular and pedagogical options that have not yet been proposed. Given our institution's mission, such academic initiatives should certainly be part of the solution. To this end, I propose to appoint an ad hoc committee of diverse faculty members, students, and alumni to develop recommendations for proposed curricular, co-curricular, and pedagogical initiatives to improve our students' sensitivity to diversity and respect for difference. I will consult with the University Senate and the AAUP concerning the committee's membership and charge, and I propose that the committee's recommendations be forwarded to the Curriculum Committee for review and action.
Finally, I would like to build on Jane Fried's recent assertion about the importance of experiential learning by suggesting that a proven approach to increasing our students' cultural sensitivity is to engage them in meaningful ways with diverse populations in our local community. Such efforts would make an important contribution to our university's commitment to community engagement. To this end, we have made arrangements with other institutions from the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education to offer an introductory workshop on "Service Learning" at CCSU on January 29, 2008. Following that workshop, we will invite CCSU faculty to submit proposals for service learning projects and courses, which will be funded with a generous grant from the Center for Public Policy and Social Research.
I thank you for considering these suggestions, to which I invite your response. I look forward to supporting all of your efforts to make CCSU a more welcoming and nurturing environment for everyone who works and studies here.
With good wishes,
Carl
Naming names?
Seems that some on campus want to call out the haters -- who really makes CCSU such a bad place? Good question.
Except...
Naming names assumes that there will be no retribution. In this climate, there are no assurances that if we name names, there will be no retribution -- a bad grade, hostility in the classroom, further tension. I'm here to say that this climate is not the place to do so -- I know I wouldn't name any names because I'm sure I'll get in trouble. I only have to pick up the newspaper to find a list of names. I only have to walk down certain hallways to find names. I only have to see whose trying so hard to protect free speech that they put me on the spot to name names -- which, ironically, keeps me quiet.
Furthermore -- this is a diversionary tactic. Keep the pressure on the real issues -- fees, equal protection, rights as students to learn in a climate free of hostility. Expose me to controversy. Calling for me to be kidnapped and peed on is not controversy -- it is intimidation and hostility. It is a hostile climate here.
Except...
Naming names assumes that there will be no retribution. In this climate, there are no assurances that if we name names, there will be no retribution -- a bad grade, hostility in the classroom, further tension. I'm here to say that this climate is not the place to do so -- I know I wouldn't name any names because I'm sure I'll get in trouble. I only have to pick up the newspaper to find a list of names. I only have to walk down certain hallways to find names. I only have to see whose trying so hard to protect free speech that they put me on the spot to name names -- which, ironically, keeps me quiet.
Furthermore -- this is a diversionary tactic. Keep the pressure on the real issues -- fees, equal protection, rights as students to learn in a climate free of hostility. Expose me to controversy. Calling for me to be kidnapped and peed on is not controversy -- it is intimidation and hostility. It is a hostile climate here.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Why is it...
the only people crying "free speech" are the ones who have it? Everyone concerned with "free speech" is looking to protect his own speech without recognizing that by exercising some forms of speech, he is infringing upon the rights of others. We don't have access to the same platforms -- basic understandings of the history and culture of this country would tell you that. After all, the same Constitution that guarantees free speech also wrote women out of it in 1868 (although it was never intended that "we the people" were female) and actually defined slaves as 3/5 of a person. The 3/5 clause was written out with the Fourteenth Amendment; women were written into citizenship with the 19th amendment in 1920.
Your right to free speech should not curtail mine.
But then again, the issues may be bigger than free speech. Don't let people send up the free speech smoke screen and convince you that you don't have the right to hostile-free workplace and learning environment and that you must be subject to student fees to pay for your own humiliation and intimidation. Concede the free speech right to print whatever crap they want in the newspaper; demand responsibility for that action! We all have rights at stake here. They want First Amendment? Respond with Fourteenth Amendment. We all have rights.
Your right to free speech should not curtail mine.
But then again, the issues may be bigger than free speech. Don't let people send up the free speech smoke screen and convince you that you don't have the right to hostile-free workplace and learning environment and that you must be subject to student fees to pay for your own humiliation and intimidation. Concede the free speech right to print whatever crap they want in the newspaper; demand responsibility for that action! We all have rights at stake here. They want First Amendment? Respond with Fourteenth Amendment. We all have rights.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Response to the Legal Department
The folks at CCSU legal are working hard to protect First Amendment rights -- and it can certainly be debated as to whether or not this speech is "obscene" -- after all, urinating on someone without consent (and 14 does not reach the age of consent) is illegal; might that constitute obscene speech?
But that notwithstanding -- legal folks can, will, and SHOULD wrangle this one out, perhaps in court if someone wanted to take up the pursuit -- the focus needn't be there. Let 'em spew whatever speech they want. The real issues -- and the ones legal folks can't get around are these:
1) STUDENT FEES have been used to demean, harass, and intimidate. For other news outlets, one has to subscribe. Are students able to choose whether or not to subscribe to this newspaper? Nope. No choice. First, there is no alternative -- read the report Ms. Magnan offers up -- CCSU has no intention of allowing an alternative newspaper. It is The Recorder or bust. So what is the alternative? Refuse to pay fees. Demand your fees be returned to you for this semester. This is classic taxation without representation. There are no alternatives here, so it is impossible to turn away to an alternative. I didn't pay my hard - earned money just to be told that I have to suck it up and deal with it. I've been unduly taxed, forced to pay for the humiliation of myself and others. No way. Money back!!
2) A HOSTILE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT is in place here. Is the educational environment a workplace environment for students? Perhaps -- check the law. And if it is, or if it is unclear, pursue it in a court of law. Faculty, staff, and students all have been harassed, intimidated, and threatened -- satirizing rape and the kidnapping and degradation of a Latina are only two examples. This is classic definition of a hostile workplace environment.
so fine that it is free speech -- free speech isn't when it limits the speech of others, and students don't have access to the current newspaper or an alternative. Moreover, who feels comfortable speaking back in this environment? Well, these are the legal questions we need to be asking of ourselves, student government, the administration, the Board of Trustees, the Attorney General, the Victim's Advocate, and the Governor. Laws may well be broken here, and it may have nothing at all to do with the First Amendment. After all, last I checked, the Fourteenth Amendment still mattered, too.
But that notwithstanding -- legal folks can, will, and SHOULD wrangle this one out, perhaps in court if someone wanted to take up the pursuit -- the focus needn't be there. Let 'em spew whatever speech they want. The real issues -- and the ones legal folks can't get around are these:
1) STUDENT FEES have been used to demean, harass, and intimidate. For other news outlets, one has to subscribe. Are students able to choose whether or not to subscribe to this newspaper? Nope. No choice. First, there is no alternative -- read the report Ms. Magnan offers up -- CCSU has no intention of allowing an alternative newspaper. It is The Recorder or bust. So what is the alternative? Refuse to pay fees. Demand your fees be returned to you for this semester. This is classic taxation without representation. There are no alternatives here, so it is impossible to turn away to an alternative. I didn't pay my hard - earned money just to be told that I have to suck it up and deal with it. I've been unduly taxed, forced to pay for the humiliation of myself and others. No way. Money back!!
2) A HOSTILE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT is in place here. Is the educational environment a workplace environment for students? Perhaps -- check the law. And if it is, or if it is unclear, pursue it in a court of law. Faculty, staff, and students all have been harassed, intimidated, and threatened -- satirizing rape and the kidnapping and degradation of a Latina are only two examples. This is classic definition of a hostile workplace environment.
so fine that it is free speech -- free speech isn't when it limits the speech of others, and students don't have access to the current newspaper or an alternative. Moreover, who feels comfortable speaking back in this environment? Well, these are the legal questions we need to be asking of ourselves, student government, the administration, the Board of Trustees, the Attorney General, the Victim's Advocate, and the Governor. Laws may well be broken here, and it may have nothing at all to do with the First Amendment. After all, last I checked, the Fourteenth Amendment still mattered, too.
From the Legal Department...
As Chair of the Task Force on Journalistic Integrity, I have spent a great deal of time working on issues related to The Recorder. Although I do not now speak for the Task Force, as its Chair, I would like to remind everyone that the Task Force spent several months last semester carefully considering what action the University could take in response to an offensive article published in The Recorder last February. Since The Recorder’s publication of more offensive material last Wednesday, I know there has been a great deal of discussion both on and off campus about what the University can and should do in response. Last spring, the Task Force concluded that since we are a public university the First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects most student speech in The Recorder from interference by the University. The United States Supreme Court has found that universities may not proscribe student speech even if it is gravely offensive to large numbers of people. I invite you to look at the Task Force’s Final Report and also at a memorandum prepared by the Task Force’s subcommittee on the First Amendment which spells out much of the law on the protections afforded by the First Amendment to college newspapers, including an explanation of the very limited categories of unprotected speech – defamation, obscenity and fighting words, sometimes referred to as hate speech. These documents may be found at the following links:
http://www.ccsu.edu/Taskforce/Journalistic%20Integrity%20Task%20Force%20Final%20Report%205%2018%202007.pdf
http://www.ccsu.edu/taskforce/firstamendment.htm
As you can see from the Final Report, the Task Force made a series of recommendations that were accepted by President Miller at the beginning of August:
http://www.ccsu.edu/TaskForce/PresidentsResponse.htm
As the president noted in his email last Friday, during the month of August he met with the vice presidents and is in the process of implementing many of the recommendations.
Carolyn A. Magnan, Esq.
Counsel to the President
http://www.ccsu.edu/Taskforce/Journalistic%20Integrity%20Task%20Force%20Final%20Report%205%2018%202007.pdf
http://www.ccsu.edu/taskforce/firstamendment.htm
As you can see from the Final Report, the Task Force made a series of recommendations that were accepted by President Miller at the beginning of August:
http://www.ccsu.edu/TaskForce/PresidentsResponse.htm
As the president noted in his email last Friday, during the month of August he met with the vice presidents and is in the process of implementing many of the recommendations.
Carolyn A. Magnan, Esq.
Counsel to the President
Beyond First Amendment Rights
Ok, so Rowan and Co. had the right to publish the cartoon. Indefensibly poor taste? Yes. Within his legal right? Yes. Now, does the right to free speech mean the platform to it? Debatable. Can he continue to operate from this platform? Remains to be seen, but only the students can oust him. So first things first: demand that the rules for electing the editor are transparent. If your funds pay for this paper, demand a voice in choosing the editor.
Speaking of funds: here's the question that goes far beyond the right to publish/free speech. Can a university, such as the state-operated and funded CCSU, force you to pay student fees to fund a paper that harasses, demeans, and threatens you? Are you not being forced to pay for your own harassment? Does that not contribute to a hostile workplace environment? Isn't a learning environment also a workplace? If we move the issue away from free speech (and this may or may not be hate speech and/or pornography, given that it went after a protected group and encouraged a criminal act of sexual assault), the real issue is about the money.
Speaking of funds: here's the question that goes far beyond the right to publish/free speech. Can a university, such as the state-operated and funded CCSU, force you to pay student fees to fund a paper that harasses, demeans, and threatens you? Are you not being forced to pay for your own harassment? Does that not contribute to a hostile workplace environment? Isn't a learning environment also a workplace? If we move the issue away from free speech (and this may or may not be hate speech and/or pornography, given that it went after a protected group and encouraged a criminal act of sexual assault), the real issue is about the money.
Monday, September 17, 2007
The protest
Anyone and everyone -- please feel free to post about the protest here.
Some great student statements -- right on! And to those who called out President Miller for walking away when students were talking -- good for you. Shame, shame, shame -- it isn't something to be proud of, people.
So please post commentary in the comment section and I'll upload them as I get them.
And let me know your next steps -- The Time Is Now!
Some great student statements -- right on! And to those who called out President Miller for walking away when students were talking -- good for you. Shame, shame, shame -- it isn't something to be proud of, people.
So please post commentary in the comment section and I'll upload them as I get them.
And let me know your next steps -- The Time Is Now!
From the Chancellor's Office
This was posted on NBC 30 this afternoon, after the protest:
Office of the Chancellor
September 17, 2007
To the CSUS Community:
The Connecticut State University System Board of Trustees and the CSUS Chancellor are appalled by the stunning lack of sensitivity and awareness displayed by Mark Rowan, editor of the Central Connecticut State University student newspaper, and apparently by others on the newspaper’s editorial staff.
We share the understandable outrage expressed by students, faculty and staff at Central, but recognize that the First Amendment to this nation’s Constitution provides broad protections for free speech. It also limits the remedies available to a University seeking to reintroduce repulsive and renegade publications to the concepts of mutual respect and good judgment.
We concur with Central President Jack Miller’s plan to act promptly on the recommendations of the University’s Task Force on Journalistic Integrity and support students who are rightfully insisting on responsible journalism from their student newspaper. This is not what one should expect from a student newspaper - editorial content, opinion articles and cartoons that cross the line of human decency.
It is shameful that the insensitive and hurtful actions of a mere handful of students can misrepresent the character of an entire University community. It is astonishing that the editors seemingly refuse to absorb that simply because something can be printed does not mean that it should be printed. It is incomprehensible that such offensive material would be knowingly included in the student newspaper and imposed on the CCSU community, regardless of whether or not the writer is a University student.
Actions of this type are abhorrent, and there must be a way to reach students so that they fully comprehend that such behavior is entirely inappropriate and not in their own best interest if they are to become constructive contributors to society. We reiterate our commitment to the importance of personal ethics, personal conduct and personal responsibility, and strongly encourage the University and its students to pursue every avenue to reassert those fundamental guiding principles.
Lawrence D. McHugh David G. Carter, Sr.
Chairman, Board of Trustees Chancellor
Connecticut State University System Connecticut State University System
Here's a question: what about the charges of HOSTILE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT?
Office of the Chancellor
September 17, 2007
To the CSUS Community:
The Connecticut State University System Board of Trustees and the CSUS Chancellor are appalled by the stunning lack of sensitivity and awareness displayed by Mark Rowan, editor of the Central Connecticut State University student newspaper, and apparently by others on the newspaper’s editorial staff.
We share the understandable outrage expressed by students, faculty and staff at Central, but recognize that the First Amendment to this nation’s Constitution provides broad protections for free speech. It also limits the remedies available to a University seeking to reintroduce repulsive and renegade publications to the concepts of mutual respect and good judgment.
We concur with Central President Jack Miller’s plan to act promptly on the recommendations of the University’s Task Force on Journalistic Integrity and support students who are rightfully insisting on responsible journalism from their student newspaper. This is not what one should expect from a student newspaper - editorial content, opinion articles and cartoons that cross the line of human decency.
It is shameful that the insensitive and hurtful actions of a mere handful of students can misrepresent the character of an entire University community. It is astonishing that the editors seemingly refuse to absorb that simply because something can be printed does not mean that it should be printed. It is incomprehensible that such offensive material would be knowingly included in the student newspaper and imposed on the CCSU community, regardless of whether or not the writer is a University student.
Actions of this type are abhorrent, and there must be a way to reach students so that they fully comprehend that such behavior is entirely inappropriate and not in their own best interest if they are to become constructive contributors to society. We reiterate our commitment to the importance of personal ethics, personal conduct and personal responsibility, and strongly encourage the University and its students to pursue every avenue to reassert those fundamental guiding principles.
Lawrence D. McHugh David G. Carter, Sr.
Chairman, Board of Trustees Chancellor
Connecticut State University System Connecticut State University System
Here's a question: what about the charges of HOSTILE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT?
NOON today!!
Protest
Protest
Protest
Be there, be loud, demand that students be allowed to take back the recorder!!
Protest
Protest
Be there, be loud, demand that students be allowed to take back the recorder!!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Tomorrow -- PROTEST!
Remember -- tomorrow is the protest -- NOON outside of Davidson.
Bring signs, noisemakers, energy, petitions (has anyone started an online petition?? if so, lemme know), and voices.
If you see Professor Mendez-Mendez, please reach out. Shake his hand, thank him for his work -- he's taking this one to the legal channels and needs your support. Likewise, any of the students, staff, and faculty who have been leading the good fight, getting the message out there, show love.
Bring signs, noisemakers, energy, petitions (has anyone started an online petition?? if so, lemme know), and voices.
If you see Professor Mendez-Mendez, please reach out. Shake his hand, thank him for his work -- he's taking this one to the legal channels and needs your support. Likewise, any of the students, staff, and faculty who have been leading the good fight, getting the message out there, show love.
Some love for TBTR--thanks!
Here from Rachel's Tavern - I applaud what you're doing, so please keep up the pressure.
If I may add a few thoughts as you work with the administration:
1. Please don't let them make this a "cultural" or "latino" issue. ANYONE against sexism, racism, and violence should be offended by a "funny" comic about sexist racist sexual violence and abduction published in a public paper. If the author had inserted any other ethnic group, or if no ethnicity had been asserted, or even if it had been a boy in the closet, it would be a horrible, poor-taste comic. That the author and editor chose a double minority and a minor only makes it worse.
2. Do investigate the legality of public funds used for hate speech (against women, ethnic groups, etc), as this is probably the best and quickest way to shut them down. In my college, at least, the club and organization funding wasn't fully passed out until October by student government. You may have a similar window of opportunity.
Rachel's Tavern is RIGHT ON TARGET here!! This is something that affects ALL of us.
And yeah, this is a club after all -- could a white supremacist group on campus advertise with photos of a lynching? Could a frat advertise a party with photos of a gang rape? Those kinds of speech aren't free -- NEITHER is a cartoon that promotes illegal acts (see below).
Thanks for the love -- right back at ya!
If I may add a few thoughts as you work with the administration:
1. Please don't let them make this a "cultural" or "latino" issue. ANYONE against sexism, racism, and violence should be offended by a "funny" comic about sexist racist sexual violence and abduction published in a public paper. If the author had inserted any other ethnic group, or if no ethnicity had been asserted, or even if it had been a boy in the closet, it would be a horrible, poor-taste comic. That the author and editor chose a double minority and a minor only makes it worse.
2. Do investigate the legality of public funds used for hate speech (against women, ethnic groups, etc), as this is probably the best and quickest way to shut them down. In my college, at least, the club and organization funding wasn't fully passed out until October by student government. You may have a similar window of opportunity.
Rachel's Tavern is RIGHT ON TARGET here!! This is something that affects ALL of us.
And yeah, this is a club after all -- could a white supremacist group on campus advertise with photos of a lynching? Could a frat advertise a party with photos of a gang rape? Those kinds of speech aren't free -- NEITHER is a cartoon that promotes illegal acts (see below).
Thanks for the love -- right back at ya!
Ideas for the protest
Last year, students demanded a return of student fees -- after all, student $$ pays for the student paper. If the paper is going to run these things, do students have to continue to support it? Is there no restitution if the student paper is part of the problem? Perhaps we should demand our student fees back -- if President Miller is going to withhold advertising dollars from the paper (see his statement), can we not withhold our dollars?
Good question
adam692 queries in the latest post if the cartoon "Polydongs" rises (or sinks?) to the level of pornography. Good question. I don't specialize in the law but I do have to wonder ... urinating on someone is sexual assault in the state of CT. (Remember the case of the UConn boys who ejaculated on a female student? That case changed the law -- and it includes urination as part of sexual assault.) There are also laws against sex with a minor -- statutory rape. And child pornography is CERTAINLY against the law, even if adult porn isn't. Furthermore, publishing this in a free student newspaper, distributed to people -- INCLUDING MINORS who attend CCSU (some of our first-year students are under the age of 18) -- is illegal. And it uses state funds and equipment to perpetuate said crimes.
All the more that CCSU is a hostile workplace environment -- Mendez-Mendez is right, as were the women who fought back against the rape "satire."
I hope the university's counsel is paying attention...they may be in for a much bigger lawsuit than anticipated.
All the more that CCSU is a hostile workplace environment -- Mendez-Mendez is right, as were the women who fought back against the rape "satire."
I hope the university's counsel is paying attention...they may be in for a much bigger lawsuit than anticipated.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Additional shout outs
Major shout-outs to Yessica Amparo and Kayla Rivera -- two students who had the serious and righteous nerve to speak out about this cartoon bullsh. They took it to the Courant, and to the mat -- mad props.
Mark Rowan won't resign -- so announced in various news fora. But I am not so sure it is up to him alone. Whaddaya think? The call has to come from students. This is your money paying for this drivel, you know.
Mark Rowan won't resign -- so announced in various news fora. But I am not so sure it is up to him alone. Whaddaya think? The call has to come from students. This is your money paying for this drivel, you know.
The Devil's Advocate!!
http://ccsudevilsadvocate.blogspot.com/
Check out the PSA -- they're on board with The Time Is Now -- I support them and hope you will, too.
the devil's advocate sent me the info about the local WIN contact (see below -- groups in the mix about what's going down at CCSU) -- here's the email for contact:
barrow_wight727@yahoo.com
Shout out!! Let's definitely support them.
Speaking of shout outs: Naa Sackey is the bomb!! She's a genuine leader on campus and a leader in the African Student Union. Her commentary in the Courant is tight (as always).
Check out the PSA -- they're on board with The Time Is Now -- I support them and hope you will, too.
the devil's advocate sent me the info about the local WIN contact (see below -- groups in the mix about what's going down at CCSU) -- here's the email for contact:
barrow_wight727@yahoo.com
Shout out!! Let's definitely support them.
Speaking of shout outs: Naa Sackey is the bomb!! She's a genuine leader on campus and a leader in the African Student Union. Her commentary in the Courant is tight (as always).
Cover your eyes, kiddies
Just realized that some faculty members -- including Robert Wolff (history) -- are antsy that students have been copied on emails about The Recorder. Should "they" hear what "we" think???
Professor Mendez-Mendez reiterated that he intended students to have full access to the conversation. And this is part of speech -- FREE speech.
Gotta wonder why some would be so anxious about students hearing faculty disgust and outrage? After all, faculty and students work together in the same hostile environment.
Professor Mendez-Mendez reiterated that he intended students to have full access to the conversation. And this is part of speech -- FREE speech.
Gotta wonder why some would be so anxious about students hearing faculty disgust and outrage? After all, faculty and students work together in the same hostile environment.
PROTEST!!
Students are holding a demonstration on Monday at NOON outside of Davidson. Stand with your peers -- their pain is our pain, their suffering, ours. And we have to stand together, in solidarity.
The silence is deafening
Although Miller issued his statement (see below), where are other administrators? Who should also be out in front of this issue:
Vivian Martin, associate professor, English -- advisor to The Recorder
Sue Sweeney, Student Affairs and Leadership Development -- she holds the pursestrings to all clubs on campus, including The Recorder
Margaret Toston, VP of Student Affairs
Why are they letting a student take the fall for this entire debacle? Granted, they can't censor what he publishes before the fact, but surely they can advise him, teach him, and guide him after. And they can stand with him -- his shame is their shame.
Government officials off campus should also be looking into this situation -- did CCSU students use money illegally? That wouldn't fall under first amendment rights...you can't use free speech to break the law.
Vivian Martin, associate professor, English -- advisor to The Recorder
Sue Sweeney, Student Affairs and Leadership Development -- she holds the pursestrings to all clubs on campus, including The Recorder
Margaret Toston, VP of Student Affairs
Why are they letting a student take the fall for this entire debacle? Granted, they can't censor what he publishes before the fact, but surely they can advise him, teach him, and guide him after. And they can stand with him -- his shame is their shame.
Government officials off campus should also be looking into this situation -- did CCSU students use money illegally? That wouldn't fall under first amendment rights...you can't use free speech to break the law.
CCSU, back in the news
Newsday
Fox
New York Times
Hartford Courant -- although this one is even better. Several STUDENTS (those people Rowan insists haven't complained about the cartoon and his editorial "leadership") are featured in this story, targeting not only Rowan but also Miller and the administration. Right on!!
I'll put up blog stories as they come in too because all of the major bloggers have the story as well.
Fox
New York Times
Hartford Courant -- although this one is even better. Several STUDENTS (those people Rowan insists haven't complained about the cartoon and his editorial "leadership") are featured in this story, targeting not only Rowan but also Miller and the administration. Right on!!
I'll put up blog stories as they come in too because all of the major bloggers have the story as well.
An alternative?
During last year's show of a Journalistic Integrity committee (actually the report was solid; the show was in the calling for various changes that were summarily dismissed as unfeasible or unrealistic -- ahem), some people called for college money to create an ALTERNATIVE newspaper. Why should there be only one student newspaper? Why not a second? It is clear that too many people are disgusted with The Recorder as it is, but when some asked for an alternative, they were told to go work with Rowan and Co. at The Recorder. Ummm, who can really work with him when he's a major source of hostility on this campus? Furthermore, at what point can we say enough is enough? Students have to get together and DEMAND his resignation. But perhaps students can also ask for 1/2 of the newspaper's budget and create an alternative.
Miller's response
Here's what President Jack Miller said in response to the issue. Note that it was almost three days after the paper was published. What took so long?? And I must say, it is NOT a violation of free speech to fire someone for losing her or his job at the press because she or he has created a hostile, threatening, and intimidating workplace environment.
While I recognize that the Recorder's right to publish is secured by the First Amendment and a broad range of judicial court decisions, I must say that I am offended by the decisions of the editorial staff, and Mark Rowan in particular, who was a member of the Task Force on Journalistic Integrity, a group convened to address issues raised last year by offensive material published in the student paper. Their decision to publish a deeply offensive cartoon demonstrates their lack of understanding of how words can hurt and of how their editorial decisions to publish offensive materials can undermine the civility that should bring us together as a campus community.
I share the concerns of my Latin American colleagues and students and others for the hurt inflicted by the editor's decision to run this offensive cartoon. We learned from the work of the Task Force on Journalistic Integrity that there are clear limits about what a state-supported public university can do in response to such actions. I believe, however, that there are some things we can proceed with as an institution.
1. We will expand our efforts to encourage a more diverse population of students to serve on the paper. Change must come from within, and it is my hope that students will teach students about cultural understanding.
2. I have been in consultation with Debi Freund, President of the Connecticut Association of Affirmative Action Professionals, about future programs that organization can bring to campus for all our benefit.
3. I take seriously the Task Force’s recommendation that the University hire a full-time faculty member to serve in both a mentorship capacity with student publications and a teaching capacity. I have recommended to Provost Carl Lovitt that this matter be given immediate consideration.
4. Along those lines, I have also taken the Task Force’s recommendation that the University begin to offer a journalism major. I will again recommend that Provost Lovitt and the Dean give this serious consideration. I hope that the faculty’s widespread indignation at this latest event will spur their considerations of this curricular change.
5. I have spoken with Provost Lovitt about the possibility of adding a component on cultural awareness to First Year Experience courses, in an effort to ensure that all students understand what is at stake in a diverse community.
6. Dr. Lovitt and I both encourage faculty to take advantage of this issue to discuss it in its complexity in the courses, perhaps especially on Monday, Constitution Day.
7. Although we advertised infrequently in the Recorder, I recognize that the Recorder has created an environment counterproductive to our advertising aimed at recruiting future students, and we will no longer advertise our programs in the Recorder.
8. I urge that the Media Board and other existing oversight boards look further into making substantive, constructive changes in ameliorating the situation at the Recorder. This is not intended in any way to preclude anyone’s freedom of speech but rather to express my hope that the learning opportunities offered by the paper are turned to a better understanding of the audience for the paper, our campus community, which is richly diverse, and to a better understanding of what counts as good journalism.
Finally, as I explained to the many students I met with this afternoon, I welcome other suggestions for making Central a more welcoming community.
Jack Miller,
President
Central Connecticut State University
While I recognize that the Recorder's right to publish is secured by the First Amendment and a broad range of judicial court decisions, I must say that I am offended by the decisions of the editorial staff, and Mark Rowan in particular, who was a member of the Task Force on Journalistic Integrity, a group convened to address issues raised last year by offensive material published in the student paper. Their decision to publish a deeply offensive cartoon demonstrates their lack of understanding of how words can hurt and of how their editorial decisions to publish offensive materials can undermine the civility that should bring us together as a campus community.
I share the concerns of my Latin American colleagues and students and others for the hurt inflicted by the editor's decision to run this offensive cartoon. We learned from the work of the Task Force on Journalistic Integrity that there are clear limits about what a state-supported public university can do in response to such actions. I believe, however, that there are some things we can proceed with as an institution.
1. We will expand our efforts to encourage a more diverse population of students to serve on the paper. Change must come from within, and it is my hope that students will teach students about cultural understanding.
2. I have been in consultation with Debi Freund, President of the Connecticut Association of Affirmative Action Professionals, about future programs that organization can bring to campus for all our benefit.
3. I take seriously the Task Force’s recommendation that the University hire a full-time faculty member to serve in both a mentorship capacity with student publications and a teaching capacity. I have recommended to Provost Carl Lovitt that this matter be given immediate consideration.
4. Along those lines, I have also taken the Task Force’s recommendation that the University begin to offer a journalism major. I will again recommend that Provost Lovitt and the Dean give this serious consideration. I hope that the faculty’s widespread indignation at this latest event will spur their considerations of this curricular change.
5. I have spoken with Provost Lovitt about the possibility of adding a component on cultural awareness to First Year Experience courses, in an effort to ensure that all students understand what is at stake in a diverse community.
6. Dr. Lovitt and I both encourage faculty to take advantage of this issue to discuss it in its complexity in the courses, perhaps especially on Monday, Constitution Day.
7. Although we advertised infrequently in the Recorder, I recognize that the Recorder has created an environment counterproductive to our advertising aimed at recruiting future students, and we will no longer advertise our programs in the Recorder.
8. I urge that the Media Board and other existing oversight boards look further into making substantive, constructive changes in ameliorating the situation at the Recorder. This is not intended in any way to preclude anyone’s freedom of speech but rather to express my hope that the learning opportunities offered by the paper are turned to a better understanding of the audience for the paper, our campus community, which is richly diverse, and to a better understanding of what counts as good journalism.
Finally, as I explained to the many students I met with this afternoon, I welcome other suggestions for making Central a more welcoming community.
Jack Miller,
President
Central Connecticut State University
Faculty responses
Various faculty members have replied in strong support of Professor Mendez-Mendez, including Professor Jessica Greenebaum (sociology), Professor Joanne DiPlacido (psychology), and Professor Felton Best (philosophy and history). Right on!!
Better yet, they've done so by hitting "reply all" to Professor Mendez-Mendez's so it went to the ENTIRE campus community. Students who want to take back The Recorder know their allies. Go to them; let them help you. Solidarity!
Where is the administration on this issue???
Better yet, they've done so by hitting "reply all" to Professor Mendez-Mendez's so it went to the ENTIRE campus community. Students who want to take back The Recorder know their allies. Go to them; let them help you. Solidarity!
Where is the administration on this issue???
Another piece in the formal action puzzle
This letter to Larry -- anyone know who Larry is??
Dear Larry,
In light of the cartoon published by the Campus Recorder on Wednesday, I would like to request an investigation from your Department into whether or not state funds and property may have been used in the the publication of a cartoon that aludes to the pedophilia, acts of excression, kidnapping of a minor, and hate speech, which individually and collectively may be illegal in nature. In other words, I would like for your office to assess whether state funds may have been used to engage in illegal activities by Mr. Mark Rowan and members of his editorial board. If so, what steps can be taken about it.
Respecfully,
Serafin Mendez-Mendez, Ph.D
Right on, Professor Mendez-Mendez!! He calls out a hostile workplace environment for faculty, students, and staff AND he queries if public, state funds have been used to promote illegal crimes.
Dear Larry,
In light of the cartoon published by the Campus Recorder on Wednesday, I would like to request an investigation from your Department into whether or not state funds and property may have been used in the the publication of a cartoon that aludes to the pedophilia, acts of excression, kidnapping of a minor, and hate speech, which individually and collectively may be illegal in nature. In other words, I would like for your office to assess whether state funds may have been used to engage in illegal activities by Mr. Mark Rowan and members of his editorial board. If so, what steps can be taken about it.
Respecfully,
Serafin Mendez-Mendez, Ph.D
Right on, Professor Mendez-Mendez!! He calls out a hostile workplace environment for faculty, students, and staff AND he queries if public, state funds have been used to promote illegal crimes.
Formal Action
Kudos to Professor Serafin Mendez-Mendez, who sent this letter to the ENTIRE campus community (faculty, staff, students):
Dear Dr. Toston and President Miller,
After a long day of consultation with legal counsel and members of the campus community, I am writing to file a formal judicial complaint against Mr. Mark Rowan, Editor-in-Chief of the Campus Recorder and his editorial staff comprised of Mr. Christopher Boulay, Jamie Paakkonen, Conrad Ajier, Samantha Sullivan, Stephanie Bergeron and Justin Lokczo. In a cartoon that appeared on page16 of the September 12 issue of "The Recorder" (V. 104 No. 2), Mr. Rowan and his editorial board have engaged in hateful speech directed towards Latinos. Such a speech is in direct violation to the "Student Code of Conduct," Connecticut General Statutes and Federal statutes governing prescribing free and hateful speech.
As a Latino faculty member, I feel threatened by such speech in my workplace. As such, I respectfully request the immediate suspension of Mr. Rowan and his Editorial Board as students of this university. Scores of Latino students and faculty also feel threatened by such malicious and hateful speech and feel that their presence in the campus is a threat to us.
Pursuant to the dispositions of the Student Handbook, I request that judicial procedures be started immediately. I also wish to note that I reserve my right to pursue civil and/or criminal prosecution of Mr. Rowan, and his editorial staff.
As a former member of the Journalistic Integrity Task Force, I fought hard to protect the rights of free speech. However, there is a distinction between free speech and hateful speech. The speech conveyed by The Recorder is hateful to the core and I am not willing to stand by it and be submitted to harassment, intimidation, and mental anguish by them.
Respectfully,
Serafin Mendez-Mendez, Ph.D
Professor and Chair
Department of Communication
Dear Dr. Toston and President Miller,
After a long day of consultation with legal counsel and members of the campus community, I am writing to file a formal judicial complaint against Mr. Mark Rowan, Editor-in-Chief of the Campus Recorder and his editorial staff comprised of Mr. Christopher Boulay, Jamie Paakkonen, Conrad Ajier, Samantha Sullivan, Stephanie Bergeron and Justin Lokczo. In a cartoon that appeared on page16 of the September 12 issue of "The Recorder" (V. 104 No. 2), Mr. Rowan and his editorial board have engaged in hateful speech directed towards Latinos. Such a speech is in direct violation to the "Student Code of Conduct," Connecticut General Statutes and Federal statutes governing prescribing free and hateful speech.
As a Latino faculty member, I feel threatened by such speech in my workplace. As such, I respectfully request the immediate suspension of Mr. Rowan and his Editorial Board as students of this university. Scores of Latino students and faculty also feel threatened by such malicious and hateful speech and feel that their presence in the campus is a threat to us.
Pursuant to the dispositions of the Student Handbook, I request that judicial procedures be started immediately. I also wish to note that I reserve my right to pursue civil and/or criminal prosecution of Mr. Rowan, and his editorial staff.
As a former member of the Journalistic Integrity Task Force, I fought hard to protect the rights of free speech. However, there is a distinction between free speech and hateful speech. The speech conveyed by The Recorder is hateful to the core and I am not willing to stand by it and be submitted to harassment, intimidation, and mental anguish by them.
Respectfully,
Serafin Mendez-Mendez, Ph.D
Professor and Chair
Department of Communication
Friday, September 14, 2007
News coverage
Here's a clip from NBC 30 reporting about the story. Rowan's defense: well, it's no worse than anything else. Um, ok. Might we want some journalistic integrity? (link to PDF file of the final report -- note that these guys got a pay raise!)
Past Offenses
Past offenses of The Recorder
"Rape Only Hurts if you Fight It" -- a quote/unquote satire on how rape helps "ugly women" get laid and can pass time while in prison
commentary on students who are identified as lesbians because they drink Diet Pepsi and play Jenga (huh???)
promises to be more respectful and sensitive to women's issues, followed by a cartoon suggesting that women just "don't get it" (humor, I suppose)
Others? Leave them in the comments.
"Rape Only Hurts if you Fight It" -- a quote/unquote satire on how rape helps "ugly women" get laid and can pass time while in prison
commentary on students who are identified as lesbians because they drink Diet Pepsi and play Jenga (huh???)
promises to be more respectful and sensitive to women's issues, followed by a cartoon suggesting that women just "don't get it" (humor, I suppose)
Others? Leave them in the comments.
Support the students!
Student groups at CCSU can use your support.
Africana Student Organization: http://clubs.ccsu.edu/ASO
Latin American Student Organization: http://clubs.ccsu.edu/laso/
PRIDE: http://clubs.ccsu.edu/Pride/
Progressive Student Alliance: http://clubs.ccsu.edu/CCSUPSA/
There's a local NOW chapter and a group called WIN -- Women Involved Now -- on campus but I don't have contact info. If I get it, I'll let you know.
Africana Student Organization: http://clubs.ccsu.edu/ASO
Latin American Student Organization: http://clubs.ccsu.edu/laso/
PRIDE: http://clubs.ccsu.edu/Pride/
Progressive Student Alliance: http://clubs.ccsu.edu/CCSUPSA/
There's a local NOW chapter and a group called WIN -- Women Involved Now -- on campus but I don't have contact info. If I get it, I'll let you know.
Action to take
One immediate action you can take:
contact advertisers and urge them to withdraw ads and withhold advertising dollars until Mark Rowan resigns.
Another Bookstore, Rob Cosgrove, rob@anotherbookstore.org, 1535 Stanley St., New Britain 860-223-7552 Geico, 3153 Berlin Tpke., Newington (860) 667-0877
College Nannies Tutors www.collegenannies.com/team Comcast, 1-866-454-9303
Butterfly Life, Stop and Shop Plaza, Fenn Road, Newington, 860-761-3100 www.butterflylife.com
contact advertisers and urge them to withdraw ads and withhold advertising dollars until Mark Rowan resigns.
Another Bookstore, Rob Cosgrove, rob@anotherbookstore.org, 1535 Stanley St., New Britain 860-223-7552 Geico, 3153 Berlin Tpke., Newington (860) 667-0877
College Nannies Tutors www.collegenannies.com/team Comcast, 1-866-454-9303
Butterfly Life, Stop and Shop Plaza, Fenn Road, Newington, 860-761-3100 www.butterflylife.com
At it again
The Recorder is at it again.
In the most recent issue (note: this is a pdf file), The Recorder published a cartoon. Here's the text of the cartoon:
Panel 1: Polydong 1: "You know...when I eat a bowl of smacks or golden crisps, my urine smells like honey."
Panel 2: Polydong 2: "...Does it taste like honey, too?"
Panel 3: Polydong 1 (faded, focus of panel is on a door barred with chains and a padlock): "I dunno. I'd have to ask that 14 year old Latino girl tied up in the closet." (from under the closet door: "!Yo tengo hambre!")
Panel 4: Polydong 2 (in a bubble bath): "Oh. Tell Jaunita I say 'hola.'"
Beneath the panel: "The Recorder does not support the kidnapping of (and subsequent urinating on) children of any age or ethnicity."
On its own, this cartoon is offensive. In light of what happened in West Virginia this week -- six white people kidnapped, tortured, raped, assaulted, and humiliated a Black woman (including forcing her to eat feces and, yes, drink urine) -- this cartoon is threatening. Furthermore, it is continued evidence of the hostile workplace environment at Central Connecticut State University.
Mark Rowan -- the student editor of the newspaper -- announced that the cartoon was not offensive. He also reported that the person responsible for the cartoon is not affiliated with the university whatsoever (leaving one to wonder why someone outside the university is printing in the paper in the first place). (If you don't know who Rowan is, the Courant published a photograph.)
Student groups are protesting. This blog will keep you posted on things happening on campus as I know about them. Use the comments to update others.
In the most recent issue (note: this is a pdf file), The Recorder published a cartoon. Here's the text of the cartoon:
Panel 1: Polydong 1: "You know...when I eat a bowl of smacks or golden crisps, my urine smells like honey."
Panel 2: Polydong 2: "...Does it taste like honey, too?"
Panel 3: Polydong 1 (faded, focus of panel is on a door barred with chains and a padlock): "I dunno. I'd have to ask that 14 year old Latino girl tied up in the closet." (from under the closet door: "!Yo tengo hambre!")
Panel 4: Polydong 2 (in a bubble bath): "Oh. Tell Jaunita I say 'hola.'"
Beneath the panel: "The Recorder does not support the kidnapping of (and subsequent urinating on) children of any age or ethnicity."
On its own, this cartoon is offensive. In light of what happened in West Virginia this week -- six white people kidnapped, tortured, raped, assaulted, and humiliated a Black woman (including forcing her to eat feces and, yes, drink urine) -- this cartoon is threatening. Furthermore, it is continued evidence of the hostile workplace environment at Central Connecticut State University.
Mark Rowan -- the student editor of the newspaper -- announced that the cartoon was not offensive. He also reported that the person responsible for the cartoon is not affiliated with the university whatsoever (leaving one to wonder why someone outside the university is printing in the paper in the first place). (If you don't know who Rowan is, the Courant published a photograph.)
Student groups are protesting. This blog will keep you posted on things happening on campus as I know about them. Use the comments to update others.
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