Editorial

Author: Andrea Gissing

Dear members of the Middlebury College community and readers of The Middlebury Campus:

I would like to apologize to the entire community for the decision I made that resulted in the publication of the Hitler-like photo illustration of Rudolph Giuliani accompanying an opinions submission in the March 17, 2005 issue of The Campus. It was not my intention to offend anyone though clearly this has happened as a result of my decision.

The offending image was one of a waving Mr. Giuliani with a Hitler-esque mustache and haircut. The illustration was paired with an opinions piece, submitted by Ben Gore '05, that discussed the author's objections to Mr. Giuliani's selection as this year's commencement speaker.

Regrettably, technical problems with The Campus' Web site resulted in the omission of Mr. Gore's name by his submission. This unfortunate coincidence led a number of online readers to take the submission as the opinion of The Middlebury Campus or to assume that it was an anonymously published submission. The Campus' policy is to require the name of the author of submissions and letters to the editor if the pieces are to be published. I apologize for the confusion that the omission caused.

I would like to say that the opinions expressed in the Opinions pages of The Middlebury Campus, barring the Editorial, do not reflect the opinions of the editorial board, The Middlebury Campus or Middlebury College as a whole. The pages are meant to be a forum where members of the Middlebury College community - for example: students, parents, alumni, staff, professors, administrators and community members - can voice their opinions on any subject matter provided they do it in an appropriate manner. The piece that Mr. Gore submitted was unsolicited and reflected his own opinion, which he has every right to express. The accompanying photo illustration, however, was the responsibility of The Campus' editorial board. It was not Mr. Gore's creation, and I would like to extend my apologies to him for any collateral harm the photo illustration's inclusion may have caused him.

As for the photo illustration, while a great deal of thought went into the creation and subsequent publication of the image, I can only say that likely not enough consideration was given. I would like to apologize to Mr. Giuliani for poor taste of the photo illustration. I very much regret that it was my decision that allowed this to happen.

As editor-in-chief I take full responsibility for the publication. The role of the editor-in-chief is to give the final seal of approval on the entire content of the paper and I have failed to meet the responsibilities of the position in this regards. Because I cannot say with any certainty that if given the same situation all over again I would have decided any differently, I therefore am stepping down as editor-in-chief in order to preserve what is left of The Campus' good standing and credibility. Any fault was mine alone and I would like to apologize to the other members of the editorial board whose good work was called into question by my decision. I leave the paper in the capable hands of Megan O'Keefe, who I know will lead the organization with the utmost in good judgment.

I wish to extend my deepest apologies to the College community, to Mr. Giuliani, to Mr. Gore, to my editorial board and to The Campus' loyal readers. I take great pride in The Middlebury Campus and the role it plays in the Middlebury College community and I wish I could undo the effect this has had on the integrity of this century-old publication. Unfortunately, this is not possible and so I leave you with the following: I apologize for all offense caused as a result of my decision.

Sincerely yours,



Andrea Gissing