This week has been a truly humbling experience and time. On April 4, 2008, an article appeared in The Courier entitled “Student bids a fond farewell to MC professors.” There were multiple problems with this article and its presentation.

First, this article was presented as an investigative news piece, which it was not. It was, in fact, a guest editorial. The choice of presentation for this article was a poor one, and I, along with the editorial board and our advisor, are now working to correct and learn from this deplorable error. We will continue to work and improve in making sure that such a presentation error does not occur again.

The second and more important error committed was our lack of source verification. It is important with any article that the information be supported by multiple credible sources. In the case of the piece in question, the editorial board and I failed to follow up with the sources and information. We did not give those mentioned in the article the proper opportunity to respond. For this lack of follow up and careful journalistic effort and responsibility, I apologize.

It was never the intention of The Courier editorial staff or me to do any harm to those affected by the piece. In retrospect we regret not taking better, more appropriate and responsible action to verify all the information released.

As regrettable as this entire situation has been for the editorial staff and myself, this has been a true learning experience. I have learned this lesson the hard way and it is one I will never forget.

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