Comments on: On the record, Medill students and alumni deny saying disputed quote

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:13:52 +0000

Forget the dean, what does the provost do again? Oh yeah, sit around and try to cover the you know what of the professors while the students they charge thousands of dollars do all the work.

By: Tom Giratikanon

Tom Giratikanon — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:29:54 +0000

Thanks for your comment.

The two students you refer to as part of “a team” do not in fact currently write or work for NBN.

By: Content Medill Student

Content Medill Student — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:12:58 +0000

The fact that the “I-hate-Medill” kids are still parading around campus, attacking Deans and belly-aching their case does little to expand their credibility. Instead, it is an extreme (yet accurate) portrayal of the gross attention and priority the majority of Medill students give themselves. After attending the ad hoc conversation with Dean Lavine tonight, it became strikingly obvious that these muckrakers have no other agenda other than making it known THEY are more qualified, capable, and deserving to be at Medill than the Dean himself. In fact, a team of NBN students sat as one in a row, ready to battle any explanation the Dean had to offer: one had printed the University’s code of ethics, another attempted to invoke a showdown between the Dean and Spett himself. What this type of behavior exemplifies (as pointed out by two courageous students willing to stop the madness) is that some Medill students are so self-involved with their own exemplary journalism greatness, that any mistake (even if apologized for) must be amplified to such an effect that it might humiliate our campus and industry leader. In a time where journalists are supposed to be moral, humane and unbiased individuals, Medill students have become self-involved predators ready to pounce on any situation that will cement their self-appointed label as “the best, the brightest, and the most passionate.” Well, in my opinion, a month of “controversy” has been long enough; David Spett has gotten his fifteen minutes of fame, and as for his support group of Medill juniors or seniors - well, let’s just hope they pack their bags for Journalism Residency soon. To those who can’t let things go and move on - you get the biggest of the Medill F’s.

By: Adrienne Shon

Adrienne Shon — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:16:23 +0000

Thorough, well-organized, responsible.

By: PissedMedillAlum

PissedMedillAlum — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:28:45 +0000

I’m not surprised that six people are clamming up at this stage of the game. Still, what a joke that Prof. David Nelson said it was impossible to reach 29 people. Bravo for doing what the provost should have done. This story lends credence to Spett’s reporting. Despite Prof. Hayden’s ridiculous letter, no one admits to having said the quote. All signs still point to fabrication. The many attempts at obfuscation have failed.

By: Aaron Gannon

Aaron Gannon — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:23:54 +0000

Solid reporting. I wish the Provost had done the same.

By: Tom Giratikanon

Tom Giratikanon — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:47:51 +0000

Every interview, except one, was conducted before Hayden sent his e-mail, so we were unable to provide an accurate picture of how the sources felt about his particular claims.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:35:45 +0000

What I mean is did you ask these students about Hayden’s claim that some felt intimidated by the Daily columnist and refused to answer, etc etc

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:31:21 +0000

I don’t understand why this article doesn’t take into account Hayden’s email yesterday…