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CU student leaders want Campus Press changes

Web site plans first article over controversy today

Vanessa Miller, Daily Camera

Published February 26, 2008 at 6:43 a.m.
Updated February 26, 2008 at 6:43 a.m.

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University of Colorado student leaders said Monday they want to see more changes at the Campus Press following its decision to publish a pair of racially charged opinion pieces.

John Ali Sharza, director of diversity affairs for CU's student union, said minority groups, concerned students and staff members met Monday to develop an "action plan" for how they want the community and the Campus Press to continue responding to the controversial columns published last week.

"If it's war the Asians want ... It's war they'll get," by Max Karson, ran in the online-only student paper, www.thecampuspress.com, on Feb. 18; and "No hablo Ingles," by Lauren E. Geary, was published the previous day.

Campus Press editors said Monday that they're planning to publish in today's edition the first news story on the backlash from the articles.

"The news piece will be a full dis-closure of the process between the conception and publication for these articles," said editor-in-chief Cassie Hewlings.

Campus Press reporters also have written an opinion piece about their involvement -- or lack of involvement -- in the decision to run the articles, Hewlings said.

"It's where they stand on it," she said. "I agreed to run it because I think it's fair to let them have their say."

Minority groups have condemned the articles, CU Chancellor Bud Peterson called Karson's piece "hateful," and the student legislative council passed a resolution calling both pieces "racist."

Campus Press editors issued a response last week apologizing to "anyone who was hurt" by Karson's column.

Sharza, though, said some students are concerned that "There's no formal apology on the Web site."

He said students want the Campus Press to apologize and possibly replace top editor Hewlings.

"There might be pressure for her to step down," he said.

Hewlings wouldn't comment Monday on anything except what her online paper plans to publish today.

On Thursday, student editors and their faculty adviser met with Paul Voakes, dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, to talk about how to deal with fallout from Karson's column.

In that meeting, the Campus Press agreed to "provide enhanced coverage on the campus controversy the paper has sparked;" establish a Student Diversity Advisory Board, composed of non-journalism majors, to provide editors with regular feedback; adopt an "opinions policy," with standards and procedures for determining the acceptability of opinion columns or reader-generated content; schedule a series of diversity-awareness workshops for the entire staff; and host a series of workshops for opinion writing and editing, to be presented by professional opinion editors.

Comments

  • February 26, 2008

    6:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Michael writes:

    Guess what? Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press means that every once and while someone, some group, some perceived "victim" is going to be offended, insulted, appalled, etc. This is unavoidable and to watch everyone try to dance around and come up with a "solution" to this is hillarious. You cannot have the freedoms that our Constitution and our society allow for and NOT GET INSULTED from time to time. It is impossible. You cannot outlaw hate, racism, bigotry (all thought), bad jokes, insulting humor, cutting edge parody, or any other forms of expression. Whenever this type of thing happens you see the PC crowd running for the diversity training - diversity this and diversity that. And then there are ALWAYS the demands for an apology. The routine never wavers.

  • February 26, 2008

    7:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    sqjnk writes:

    while your comments may be accurate michael, that doesn't mean others give up there first ammendment right to speak out about what they see as wrong, i.e. racist views published in a newspaper.
    If you're insulted speak up. Stand up for what you believe is right, even if there are those like michael, who dismiss those with conscience who try to make a positive difference in our world. Confronting racisim and speaking out against injustice is a responsiblity of all moral people.

  • February 26, 2008

    7:21 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    joeblow writes:

    Michael,
    I am opposed to censorship in our news. But I am more opposed to your rationalization.
    Freedom of the press does not mean a writer can be---consciously---stupid. The recent piece by the young writer in question was inarguably, stupid!
    There is a rule in journalism, and it applies to life as well, that says, 'If you've got to think about it---DON'T!!!
    If this young writer really thought about what he might be doing, along with his editors, the piece would never have been written.
    As far as the PC crowd....if the same piece had been written about your group---whatever that might be, would you be quite so 'sensible' and 'thick skinned'? I doubt it!
    PC is such an easy cop-out! Were life only that simple.
    'Hey, honey. I'm sorry I called your mom and sisters b****. But you know what I mean.'
    PC. What a bunch of crap!!

  • February 26, 2008

    7:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rhoadie writes:

    jdub88 -
    Your racist attempt at humor is ignorant and offensive.

  • February 26, 2008

    7:52 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    stuckiniowa writes:

    Just because freedom of speech exists, doesn't mean that you are free from ignorance, or from insult. If you are insulted - by all means - use that same freedom of speech to speak out against it, and show the ignorance of the other side. But dont try to censor what the other side says, unless you want that back too.

    That being said - I once heard a quote, although I can not remember it word for word, or even who to attribute it to - so I guess I will plagiarize it -- anyway it goes something like

    Freedom of speech to me means, the right to say whatever I want - and the good sense not to.

  • February 26, 2008

    8:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Michael writes:

    "Freedom of the press does not mean a writer can be---consciously---stupid." - joeblow

    Hey joe - guess what? You're wrong. I can't be any nicer about that criticism. There are NO laws against being stupid my friend. Way too difficult to enforce and no amount of prisons would be enough.

  • February 26, 2008

    8:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Heidi writes:

    I don't think the Asian joke was racist. I would tell that to my Chinese sister-in-law and she would laugh. She is not narrow minded.

  • February 26, 2008

    8:13 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Heidi writes:

    Now that Mexican joke was funny, but somewhat racist.

  • February 26, 2008

    8:15 a.m.

    Eric writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • February 26, 2008

    8:16 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    buffsblg writes:

    The campus press is the newspaper of the University and therefore the members of the university have a right to ask for changes. The first amendment prohibits governmental interference in speech. It does not protect those who say dumb or offensive things from being criticized for them, nor does it mean that we are required to provide a forum for that speech. If, for example, the RMN chose to prohibit a racist troll like jdubb from posting the moronic stuff he puts up everyday, they would be well within their "rights". So do the students and administration of CU have the right to decide if they want their campus paper from being used by this no talent hack who relies on shock rather than ability to get attention.

    I support everyones right to say whatever they feel and my right to respond to it. However, those who own the media have the right to have a say in what they choose to put out in their name. If Karson and jdubb want to post on some KKK website, they still have that right. One of the joys of modern life is that the web provides a forum for everyone, not just the speech we support.

  • February 26, 2008

    8:25 a.m.

    Eric writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • February 26, 2008

    8:25 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    joeblow writes:

    RHOADIE,
    You violate the laws of good taste AND the laws of good humor. You're not funny. Get better material.
    Thank God I'm not stuck with your company at a party!

    Don't thank me. It's just good, free advice.

  • February 26, 2008

    8:36 a.m.

    Eric writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • February 26, 2008

    9:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Scott writes:

    The PC Gestapo is getting their panties in a wad over non-white racist comment/joke/etc. Lets see if these hypocrites will get their panties in the same wad over a comments/jokes/etc. about us EVIL ONES, whities.

    Scott

  • February 26, 2008

    9:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Marshdale writes:

    Jdubb; I cant wait until the day you find yourself in a bind and the only defense attorney you can afford is a court appointed Asian, African American, Jew, or Latino. That would be a hoot. Of course I have read enough of your drivel to realize you would be stupid enough to make an ass out of yourself despite your minority attorneys advice and go where you belong. Isolated from society.

  • February 26, 2008

    9:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Marshdale writes:

    Upity? What the hell does that mean? Why don't we call it humane. Gee, that would be a novel idea. I find paranoid people like youself to be no different than Nazis in WWII. What the hell are you affraid of? You scared of a few hard working folks who happen to have a different background than you. You a little scared of someone who might actualy work harder than you and take true advantage of what this country has to offer. Does it piss you off that someone might speek a different language than you? The Europeans figured it out a long time ago. Isolationist mentality does not work. In fact its you Republicans that are so in love with global markets. Why don't you participate and see how far you get without learning another language. Get a grip. For your info, I live in Denver.

  • February 26, 2008

    9:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Heidi writes:

    Isolationalist mentality such as NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens?

  • February 26, 2008

    10:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    wow writes:

    Fluctuations...LOL I just got that.

  • February 26, 2008

    10:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Marshdale writes:

    That violence stems from close minded people such as yourself jdubb. You have illustrated my point completely. Thank you very much.

  • February 26, 2008

    11:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Squatch writes:

    "Enjoy the deterioration of your culture in the name of diversity"

    I bet thats what the Native Americans of this country thought when they got put in reservations but it was in the name of progress.

  • February 26, 2008

    11:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mike Noe writes:

    Please limit your comments to the topic at hand. Disparaging people because of their ethnicity or for any other reason is inappropriate.

    Mike Noe, Interactive Editor

  • February 26, 2008

    9:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    politwriter writes:

    The ongoing assault on free speech and free expression on most American campuses is dangerous to the Republic.

    This was clearly labeled as an op-ed piece. It obviously has provoked response and presumably thought as well. That is what op-ed pieces are for.

    The thin-skinned ideological warriors of the PC crowd are getting perilously close to becoming a censorship mob. What's next? Burning politically incorrect books as the Hitler Youth did at German Universities in 1933?