The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/18/09 Section: Opinions

Fitzpatrick [Click to enlarge]

Errors in newspapers happen. Unfortunately, it is the nature of the beast, but that doesn't make them easier to accept.

And that being said, the error committed by The Red & Black's editorial board last week is unacceptable.

In last weeks' Our Take titled "Underage is OK" the editorial board wrote the University's Code of Conduct does not consider orientation attendees as students and "as such, they are not subject to the same rules and regulations as University students ... and do not face consequences from the Office of Judicial Programs."

The statement is so erroneous, I do not know how it made it to print. The blame ultimately lies with me, and I accept full responsibility for our mistake.

I am not here to make excuses for myself or my staff or to make cliched promises that "a mistake like that will never happen again."

I am here to set the record straight.

According to the University's Code of Conduct, "the term 'student' includes all persons enrolled at the University and all affiliated campuses pursuing undergraduate, graduate or professional studies, individuals admitted to the University and all affiliated campuses, and individuals who are not enrolled but are eligible to enroll without applying for readmission."

In other words, once a person receives that large envelope with the letter of admission, they are considered a student.

Whether one is enrolled in classes or not, it does not matter, if they are eligible to take classes, they face the same University sanctions as any student currently in class.

Orientation students are not given "a blank check in regard to underage drinking" and if found in violation of the alcohol policy, they will not "remain unscathed while an individual who does so a mere month later will be subject to sanctions that include probation and a mandatory alcohol and drug class."

In an e-mail from Kimberly Ellis, associate dean of students for judicial programs, following last weeks institutional, she wrote, "that the Code of Conduct and the policies therein are in effect for and applicable to all students. Where minimum sanctions are required by policy, all students who are found to be in violation of alcohol or drug related policies will receive at least that. In cases that warrant, regardless of a students class standing or prior record, more than the minimum may be issued."

With every edition we print, we strive to maintain journalistic integrity and to print accurate stories and opinions, and last week we failed in that mission.

As editor in chief, I am held accountable and must answer for every mistake big and small, so here I am, answering for it.

We are blessed to have the opportunity to practice our craft before we enter the workforce. Here our mistakes teach us to be better, in the real world, mistakes cost us our jobs.

But that doesn't make them easier to stomach.

- Michael Fitzpatrick is the editor in chief of The Red & Black.

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