Spring Break
Our Take
Majority opinions of The Red & Black's editorial board
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Opinions
Worthy research
The economy shouldn't force the state to cut funding for fine arts programs.One defamatory news report.
One letter of reparation.
Six University professors.
Two news stories.
... and still no apology.
A Monday Red & Black news story discussed Atlanta-based WSB-TV's report on professors allegedly using state funds for so-called frivolous trips abroad.
Even if the University had allocated funds, which it didn't, for the trips - notably, to perform in Italy and study film in France - we still think they are worthy of receiving state funding.
In its report, WSB-TV neglected to discuss professors from Georgia Tech and Georgia State, most likely because the reasons for travel were related to the sciences.
Which poses a question of macrocosmic proportions - in an economic downturn, should we cut funding to fine arts programs? And what justifies that these programs are less worthy of tax dollars than others?
"It is not unusual that the arts are targeted during an economic downtown, but it is essential as a research institution that we support arts as well as sciences," Franklin College Dean Garnett Stokes wrote in an e-mail to Franklin faculty.
The editorial board could not agree more.
Maybe WSB-TV did not realize its report was inaccurate. But that is not a legitimate reason for not issuing an apology for making the University look irresponsible and belittling programs and professions that are just as valuable as ones founded in science.
This economic climate has fostered a witch hunt mentality in which news organizations are seeking out ways to show how capricious the government and those in policy-making positions act with taxpayer money.
We all should be concerned with how our money is being spent, but we support any traveling that advances our professors' careers and the University's profile, regardless of the field of study in question.
- Chelsea Cook and Shannon Otto for the editorial board
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 22
UGAstudent
posted 3/24/09 @ 9:55 AM EST
This seems hypocritical in light of the Red & Black's errors in its own recent article, "Suicide Inquiry Yields Unrelated Drug Arrests."
Reeve Tuesti
Reeve Tuesti
posted 3/24/09 @ 10:14 AM EST
Geniuses--the Dean of Arts and Sciences is Dr. Garnett Stokes, a woman. Arnett Mace is the outgoing Provost.
heather k
posted 3/24/09 @ 10:43 AM EST
So it's obvious your journalism skills absolutely suck and you can't pull a good story out of your ass, but the least you could do is correctly format the crossword puzzle. (Continued…)
Tim Mahoney
posted 3/24/09 @ 11:58 AM EST
I do not work for the R&B, however you should understand that it is a student run paper. At most, the top members of the staff have maybe four years of experience in journalism. (Continued…)
Tim Mahoney
posted 3/24/09 @ 1:34 PM EST
Say it ain't so Joe! Are you also UGA Student?
Either way, recanting is more of a BS response, that undoes nothing, and no one seems to read it, as it is normally printed in a discrete location. (Continued…)
Tim Mahoney
posted 3/24/09 @ 2:18 PM EST
If you read the boards often, harassment is exactly what certain people do to the R&B staff. Its no wonder they seem oblivious to the criticism online, when the majority of posts seem to ream the writers daily. (Continued…)
Tim Mahoney
posted 3/24/09 @ 2:22 PM EST
Also, UGAstudent I have seen you called out for your tact several times before, so don't try to defend your merit. I understand you are a well informed guy, but your efforts are often too harsh, and too "on the offensive. (Continued…)
Joe
posted 3/24/09 @ 3:59 PM EST
I am not posting as UGA Student. That is a lame attempt to direct the argument away from the issue at hand.
And why the hell should anyone have to be polite? We are engaging in a "frank exchange of views," so there is really no need to sugar coat what is said. (Continued…)
Tim Mahoney
posted 3/24/09 @ 4:43 PM EST
There is a difference between sugar coating, and acting civil. You don't have to douse your comments in cruelty before posting. Be polite. Anonymity is no reason to throw the rules of civilized debate/critique out the window. (Continued…)
Tim Mahoney
posted 3/24/09 @ 6:13 PM EST
I understand. I'd appreciate it if you toned it down though. Thanks!
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