Comments on: Dean Lavine apologizes, says he has made a “mistake” http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/ A daily newsmagazine of campus and culture for Northwestern University. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:08:29 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: K. http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-35733 K. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:29:59 +0000 http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/#comment-35733 Fine. Then explain to the herd that Medill is that in taking for granted that Lavine has fabricated quotes, even though all they have is the column of a student who has used anonymous sources (you may have their names but how many of the "accusers" have actually asked you for these), they actually demonstrate how much they haven't learnt in Medill. See, my point here is not whether Lavine is guilty or not, though this seems to be the BIG issue for everyone (and for a reason). My point is, how easily we make assumptions! I don't know whether Lavine has made up quotes or not. I'm not leaning towards any answer because I have no steady foundation to step on. So, really, my greatest worry is that Medill students behave like a herd of sheep (now, you are right for yourself but what about the rest? They didn't write your column, they didn't talk to your sources). This is actually one of the many moments in which I'm embarrassed to be in Medill - and as I said, for now, not because of Lavine, but because of the students. And if Lavine turns out to be guilty, I would be very embarrassed, indeed! Fine. Then explain to the herd that Medill is that in taking for granted that Lavine has fabricated quotes, even though all they have is the column of a student who has used anonymous sources (you may have their names but how many of the “accusers” have actually asked you for these), they actually demonstrate how much they haven’t learnt in Medill.
See, my point here is not whether Lavine is guilty or not, though this seems to be the BIG issue for everyone (and for a reason). My point is, how easily we make assumptions!

I don’t know whether Lavine has made up quotes or not. I’m not leaning towards any answer because I have no steady foundation to step on.

So, really, my greatest worry is that Medill students behave like a herd of sheep (now, you are right for yourself but what about the rest? They didn’t write your column, they didn’t talk to your sources). This is actually one of the many moments in which I’m embarrassed to be in Medill – and as I said, for now, not because of Lavine, but because of the students. And if Lavine turns out to be guilty, I would be very embarrassed, indeed!

]]> By: David Spett http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-35732 David Spett Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:09:01 +0000 http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/#comment-35732 K., My column made no allegations whatsoever, nor did it ask you to make any assumptions. I see my role as presenting facts and leaving you to draw any conclusions you would like. If you have questions pertaining to my reporting methodology, or if you would like to see the list of students in the marketing class, I would be more than happy to provide you with this information by email, so long as you sign your name. My address is d-spett@northwestern.edu. Anyone with questions or concerns should please feel free to email me. Thanks, David K.,

My column made no allegations whatsoever, nor did it ask you to make any assumptions. I see my role as presenting facts and leaving you to draw any conclusions you would like.

If you have questions pertaining to my reporting methodology, or if you would like to see the list of students in the marketing class, I would be more than happy to provide you with this information by email, so long as you sign your name. My address is d-spett@northwestern.edu.

Anyone with questions or concerns should please feel free to email me.

Thanks,
David

]]> By: K. http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-35729 K. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:38:10 +0000 http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/#comment-35729 David Spett, Ever since you brought up the question, there has been a question that's nagging me. You have turned your serious suspicions into allegations based on an anonymous use of quotes. Why should I make assumptions when you backed up your comments with anonymous sources? David Spett,

Ever since you brought up the question, there has been a question that’s nagging me. You have turned your serious suspicions into allegations based on an anonymous use of quotes. Why should I make assumptions when you backed up your comments with anonymous sources?

]]> By: David Spett http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-35725 David Spett Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:58:24 +0000 http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/#comment-35725 Weldon's allegations are untrue. I contacted all 29 students, 26 by phone and 3 by email. I obtained a full class list from the back of a brochure that the class produced as a final project. If Prof. Weldon would like to present the names of these two students, I would be happy to share with her the date and time of our communication as well as the exact wording used in denying the quote was theirs. Weldon’s allegations are untrue. I contacted all 29 students, 26 by phone and 3 by email. I obtained a full class list from the back of a brochure that the class produced as a final project. If Prof. Weldon would like to present the names of these two students, I would be happy to share with her the date and time of our communication as well as the exact wording used in denying the quote was theirs.

]]> By: Vi-An Nguyen http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/comment-page-1/#comment-35720 Vi-An Nguyen Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:30:12 +0000 http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/02/7439/dean-lavine-calls-sourcing-of-column-a-mistake/#comment-35720 Michele Weldon said in class yesterday that two of the students that were in the class that Spett said he contacted all of, were never contacted. She didn't say where she got the info. Michele Weldon said in class yesterday that two of the students that were in the class that Spett said he contacted all of, were never contacted. She didn’t say where she got the info.

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