QPac group threatened
HAMDEN — In a move that has some First Amendment experts scratching their heads, Quinnipiac University administrators have threatened to ban the school’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists from campus for its support of an independent online student newspaper, the News has learned.
In a letter sent Monday to SPJ President Jaclyn Hirsch — who is also managing editor of the online paper, the Quad News — Quinnipiac Student Center Director Daniel W. Brown issued an “official warning” to Hirsch. The SPJ chapter, the letter said, will lose its “recognition status” if...
The people in charge at Quinnipiac have their own ideas about what the university should be. Anyone trying to do something outside the scope of that "vision" beware. Just ask the members of the New Haven Under 20's Rugby Club. Another unrecognized student group from Quinnipiac. Recognized by everyone except Quinnipiac University as the Quinnipiac University Men's Rugby Club. Ever visit that new athletic center at Quinnipiac? The professional fundraiser who got the money for that project, and was then fired, was a club athlete at another private CT college. Guess what sport he played?
It's disheartening not only that it is happening, but that local journalists (present company excepted) are largely ignoring it. Yes, the NYT did an article on the original issue, but I'm surprised they haven't followed up. To my mind, pressuring the SPJ is even more serious.
Yale Daily News - thank you for paying attention to a serious issue. We appreciate your support and the work you put into this article.
George Patsourakos
The threat by Quinnipiac University administrators to ban the school's chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists from campus because of its support of an independent online student newspaper is disgusting. Don't these administrators know anythabout freedom of the press? Universities are supposed to be open to new ideas and viewpoints, not stifle them.