2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor
With sincere respect and apologies, David McDonald
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Post
- Page 1 of 1
On November 10, 2007 WOU hosted its second fall Preview Day for prospective WOU students and their families. In keeping with continued increased interest in WOU, the event was very well attended with approximately 400 participants including family members such as parents and younger siblings. These events are designed to be very family friendly since WOU strongly supports family involvement in the college decision process. Also in attendance was a group of 8th grade students who traveled from Gilliam County in Eastern Oregon.
The day's events were primarily based in the Werner University Center with information sessions downstairs and an academic and student services fair in the Oregon Room upstairs. Students also spent time in other parts of campus including ITC and Valsetz Dining.
Because of the presence of younger adolescents at our events I was concerned about the age appropriateness of some of the contents of the November 9, 2007 Journal. In particular the article on voyeurism (page 5) and the photo on page 9 where the male on the far left of the photo appears to have his genitals exposed were of concern to me. While the publication was clearly written for members of the WOU community and is without question appropriate for our older readership, but it was not something that I felt an 8th grade student or a younger person should view.
My decision to have the copies of the Journal made less visible (they were turned sports side up or mixed with other material present on the display areas) was inappropriate and is something that I apologize to you and the rest of the "Journal" staff. I failed to follow university policy on the matter, and erred in my belief that I had reacted in a balanced manner. While these actions were limited to the upper floor of the Werner University Center, they should not have occurred anywhere.
I strongly support the presence of publications such as the "Journal" as part of the overall educational and learning environment of Western Oregon University. I oppose censorship, limiting free speech, or preventing the open dialogue and critical discourse that all universities, but especially WOU actively promote and protect.
With sincere respect and apologies,
David Mc Donald,
Associate Provost
The day's events were primarily based in the Werner University Center with information sessions downstairs and an academic and student services fair in the Oregon Room upstairs. Students also spent time in other parts of campus including ITC and Valsetz Dining.
Because of the presence of younger adolescents at our events I was concerned about the age appropriateness of some of the contents of the November 9, 2007 Journal. In particular the article on voyeurism (page 5) and the photo on page 9 where the male on the far left of the photo appears to have his genitals exposed were of concern to me. While the publication was clearly written for members of the WOU community and is without question appropriate for our older readership, but it was not something that I felt an 8th grade student or a younger person should view.
My decision to have the copies of the Journal made less visible (they were turned sports side up or mixed with other material present on the display areas) was inappropriate and is something that I apologize to you and the rest of the "Journal" staff. I failed to follow university policy on the matter, and erred in my belief that I had reacted in a balanced manner. While these actions were limited to the upper floor of the Werner University Center, they should not have occurred anywhere.
I strongly support the presence of publications such as the "Journal" as part of the overall educational and learning environment of Western Oregon University. I oppose censorship, limiting free speech, or preventing the open dialogue and critical discourse that all universities, but especially WOU actively promote and protect.
With sincere respect and apologies,
David Mc Donald,
Associate Provost
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