Boom. I have officially been libeled. Granted, it was through an anonymous commenter on a forum monitored by a college newspaper, so a huge cash settlement is pretty unlikely. But I’ll take it, for my own ego at least, as the first step toward being a world-famous journalist.
I’d be a liar to say the comments on my article about two fraternities being investigated in connection with an out-of-control party didn’t bother me. Seeing my name put down time and time again in such a negative way was not fun, and it’s tough to pretend it was. But when I get past the fact that it’s me in the middle of the backlash on this story, the comments themselves are, for the most part, funny.
One fraternity is now under investigation for what we know many of them do: throw huge parties with a number of underage drinkers. Go up to anyone who’s lived in a residence hall at Cal Poly, and they’ve surely heard about these parties. Most of them have probably gone to one (and in response to a couple of commenters, I, myself, have not).
But police say they caught one doing it and reported the incident to the greek office on campus. If the student life and leadership director convicts them, the fraternity could face punishment up to and including disaffiliation with the university.
Naturally, this does not sit well with many in the greek community. They can’t be happy that one of their prized — and somewhat larger — fraternities is at risk of losing its standing with the school. That’s already happened to two groups in the last three years, and they surely do not want to go three for three.
But instead of bringing a complaint up to the person who really has the power — the student life and leadership director — they are attacking the person who’s bringing them the news. And for those of you who haven’t been following along, that’s me.
What those attacking Mustang Daily and myself don’t understand is that we don’t make any decisions. We did not tell the director to investigate the two fraternities. We did not convict them. Hell, we didn’t even know about the investigation until a staffer heard about it Monday morning, three days after the Playboy party.
All we’re doing is bringing the students — yes, you — the news. When two greek houses on campus are under investigation, that’s news that needs to be reported on (especially by a campus newspaper). We’re not convicting them by playing judge, jury and executioner. Instead, we’re telling you what is going on so you can make your own decisions.
The police filed their report, which was referenced in my article, and the student leadership director has his own suspicions, which were also referenced. The one thing that was not referenced, however, was what the fraternities have to say. And that’s because the presidents refused to comment. Even another member, known only as “Nick,” who called in to ask me not to publish the article, refused to comment. We gave them the chance to be interviewed and put in their side of the story, because it’s our job to bring students information, not to slant it and show only one side. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say it is truly unfortunate they were not able to take that opportunity to tell their story.
So to all the greeks leaving comments on my story, feel free to move your name above the fold and join us in the main article. We’d love to have you. But until then, keep up the name-calling and mudslinging. My inbox might start to feel empty without it.
Do you hear that? It’s me, playing the worlds smallest violin
Your missing the whole point that people are angry with how subjective your articles are.
Yes, greeks throw parties with underage drinking….so do other organizations. Are you aware that social greek organizations have a higher overall GPA than those not affiliated here at Cal Poly? Are you aware how much money Greeks raise every quarter for charities and other local organizations? Do you realize Greeks donate time every quarter to helping improve our community? Greeks work hard, Greeks play hard.
So yes bring the student — yes, us — the news. “When two greek houses on campus are under investigation, that’s news that needs to be reported on (especially by a campus newspaper).” Well start reporting on when Gamma Phi Beta does their annual GHop philanthropy, Delta Sigma Phi’s Charity Golf Classic, Lambda Chi Alpha’s annual food drive, or Sigma Kappa philanthropy to raise money for Alzheimer’s Disease research, “because it’s our job (that of Mustang Daily) to bring students information, not to slant it and show only one side.” Now that’s news that needs to be reported on.
Mitch,
“Are you aware that social greek organizations have a higher overall GPA than those not affiliated here at Cal Poly?”
That may have been true in years past, but doesn’t appear to be true now. According to the grade report for the current year available at the Greek Life website
http://studentlife.calpoly.edu/greek/resources/academics.asp
although the Panhellenic sororities are fourteen thousandths of a grade point above the Poly women’s average, only ten of the twenty-six fraternities are above the men’s average … and only one of the ten USFC fraternities is.
This also begs the question as to why fraternities are judged against a men’s average rather than the average for Cal Poly as a whole … aren’t all classes except the respective athletic teams open to everyone? In comparison to the Cal Poly overall average grades, fraternities would fare even worse.
As far as charitable contributions go, is it really fair to assume that every dollar not raised by a Greek event would otherwise be stuffed into a mattress? Is it just possible that those who wanted to contribute might find some other outlet, even if Greek events were unavailable?
Best wishes,
Mole
Maybe you should try writing an article about how Delta Sigma Phi raised 5,000 dollars for Aware.Awake.Alive. in support of Carson Starkey and raising awareness on alcohol poisoning
In an attempt to try and make the “greek system” look good when in reality, they ruined a family’s life.
Come on man, dont you think that money might be better for something like suicide awareness? or make a wish foundation? or to feed homeless children? or to support abused women?
Alcohol poisoning is something that can be voluntarily avoided, meaning you have a say in whether or not you will let that happen to yourself. The same can’t be said for starving children, depression, spousal abuse, or disease stricken individuals.