Kamdar expulsion
I am not one to say that in journalism both sides of an issue need to be given equal attention because sometimes, particularly in cases of hatred and prejudice, both sides are not equally valid. However, I have to take issue with Allie Feras' article in the Feb. 8 edition of The Eagle about a student expelled for making an anti-gay slur.
Feras was either showing incompetence as a student journalist, or a clear bias in support of the expelled student, Rick Kamdar, and his anti-gay views. Nowhere in the front-page article was there a comment from the student that was the victim of Kamdar's homophobic epithet or any witnesses to the event. I understand that anyone involved in the JAMS hearing board would not be allowed to comment or give information, but it seems surprising that Feras could not locate Kamdar's victim or anyone else connected with the incident.
If perhaps the other student and/or witnesses were located but declined to contribute to the article, then basic journalistic guidelines would instruct Feras to note their refusal somewhere in the text itself. This omission of all other people involved in the altercation makes it seem to the reader that Feras sees no valid viewpoint other than Kamdar's. A single comment from Nick Sakurai from the GLBT Center does not allay the egregious use of The Eagle by Kamdar as a forum to argue his defense.
Kamdar excuses his use of the homophobic word by saying it is not exclusively anti-gay, and justifies his actions by claiming it was in response to the other student's blatant racism. This makes it entirely clear that Kamdar does not regret his hateful statement. It seems the only thing Kamdar does regret is the fact that he did not complain first, since he states that would have given him the upper hand.
I would be interested to know if or why the other student was not punished for his racist comment, but not if it is going to be used by Feras to endorse homophobia as an acceptable response to racism.
Justin Moschetti Senior in CAS
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the article published in The Eagle on Feb. 8 titled "Expelled student to appeal ruling" by Allie Feras. I am upset at the lack of impartiality and the apparent one-sidedness of this article. Representing all sides of an issue is fundamental to fairness and objectivity in reporting. Was the other party contacted for comment? Allie Feras and Rick Kamdar attempt to present Kamdar as a victim, mentioning an unrelated battle with cancer. However, it was Kamdar who was charged with and convicted of a crime in this case.
With minimal searching on Facebook I also discovered that Kamdar and Feras are friends, or at least acquaintances. I appeal with this e-mail to some sense of journalistic integrity because of the importance and sensitivity regarding this issue, namely its heavy racial and homophobic undertones. It is clear the university community is depending on The Eagle for accurate and impartial reporting on this incident as this article was printed on the front page of the print edition, and was the most popular article on The Eagle's Web site.
Anna Blasco Sophomore in CAS
As one who is a strong supporter of free speech, I was extremely alarmed when I read of the university's decision to expel Rick Kamdar. According to Judicial Affairs' own admission, his expulsion after the incident between himself and another student on the Letts-Anderson Quad last November was not due to the physical altercation that took place, but due to the exchange of words that took place just prior, namely his use of the word "faggot."
According to the article from Feb. 8, the Student Advocacy Center informed Kamdar that he was being dismissed due to "discrimination." I find it deeply troubling that AU considers speech a form of discrimination. Rick Kamdar did not deny the other student a job. He did not refuse him service in a place of business. Nor did he deny him a loan. He did not segregate him in any manner.
Not only is the university's decision to expel Kamdar an affront to free speech, but it undermines the real meaning behind anti-discrimination laws. The other student was not discriminated against; he was insulted. The difference between the two needs to be clear.
I would like simply to voice my support for Rick Kamdar as he appeals the ruling of the university. I would also like to request a list of any and all words the usage of which the university considers grounds for expulsion. I would not want to waste $160,000 on a slip of the tongue.
Gavin Skal Sophomore in SPA
Health Center responds to criticism
Misperceptions of the Student Health Center appeared in The Eagle article "Students 'don't trust' Health Center" and the editorial "Health Center isn't trying very hard to meet our needs" (The Eagle, Feb. 5, 2007). These articles do not accurately reflect the services of the Student Health Center or efforts of the staff. Contrary to the notion that students do not trust the SHC and are going off campus for care, we have seen an increase in utilization this year (4,223 students compared to 4,046 last year at the same time). We have also instituted a number of programs this year to better meet student needs including free HIV testing and expanded flu shot clinics.
Our schedule was configured after pilot programs of evening and weekend hours resulted in low utilization by students. Open access scheduling was instituted after feedback from students, which indicated that they wanted the option to schedule appointments at their convenience and to meet with the medical provider of their choice. However, we do make every effort to accommodate students who need to be seen without an appointment. Our Web site also directs students to appropriate care when they are having a medical emergency, whether the center is open or closed.
The Student Health Center does not disregard student complaints. Complaints are documented and forwarded to the appropriate staff member for resolution. At the request of students, we created an e-mail address (shcsuggestions@american.edu) so that students can provide feedback. Also at the request of students, we have created a customer service survey to place on our Web site and in our waiting room by the end of February.
The Student Health Center has worked with many students, including student leaders, to address student concerns and adapt programs. We continue to welcome suggestions to improve services.
Daniel L. Bruey Director, Student Health Center
MGC: Student leaders have input on renovations
My compliments to Brian Kalish on his article in yesterday's Eagle on the upcoming renovations to the first floor of Mary Graydon.
Over the past four years, student leaders from the Media Board, the Student Government, the Graduate Leadership Council, the Residence Hall Association, the Campus Life Intercultural Cluster and the student managers from the University Center, as well as at large representatives from the student body, have been involved with the University Center Project Team, helping to realize a new vision for the student center on the AU campus. These students have met privately and in administrative teams with campus planners as well as contracted architects and engineers.
Last winter, the long-term plans for an addition to the North end of the Mary Graydon Center were suspended when the construction bids for the project proved to be prohibitive. The work of the student/staff teams that formulated that project was not lost, however. This year, using the principles established by those working groups, the first floor renovation project, which was highlighted in Brian's article, will commence. In the summer of 2008, the North end walkway from the Quad into Butler will be covered.
A few objectives worth highlighting for the summer project were the direct result of student input:
-The renovation should recognize the multiple ways students use the Tavern; it should be presentable as an eatery during the day and as a program space as the evening and weekend progresses. Consequently, the floor and ceiling should be upgraded and every effort should be made to influence the ambience of the space, including discouraging the use of the space as a "pass-through" to Butler Pavilion.
-The lounges across the front of Mary Graydon should remain flexible for student studying and group work.
-The concepts that guided the success of the second floor renovations should be incorporated into the first floor.
It should be noted that various campus teams meet regularly to gather student input and act on student concerns. The Dining Services Project Team, which looks at food service across campus, works closely with the University Center Project Team. Along with Auxiliary Services, this team conducts campus-wide student satisfaction surveys which guide practice for contracted food services and tunnel vendors. In addition, The Eagle should remember that Pura Vida, a fair trade coffee vendor, is prominent in the Mary Graydon Center instead of other vendors due entirely to student activism.
I hope this letter helps our campus understand the central influence that students have in the development of future plans for this facility. I applaud The Eagle's interest in covering the issues related to the changes and look forward to working with student leaders on developing a culture of continuous improvement in these venues.
Michael Elmore Senior Director, University Center
