Stop Whining

The Daily Evergreen has been running a segment called "The 20 Most Influential Students at WSU" this past week, as a way to recognize outstanding work done by students on our campus. Included on the list were PSU members Andrew Goodin and Alex McDonald. Both are seniors, and our group is devastated to see them go. The list also contained ASWSU exec members, one of the Butch mascots and the Cougar Men's basketball team. While the article was complementary to those who were included, it was inevitable that some people would feel snubbed.

... like the College Republicans.


Below are the letters to the editor that were published on April 24, 2008 in the Daily Evergreen.

Editor:
Since I have not heard from any member of my organization that you contacted them, I can only assume you are not going to feature any of us in the “20 of the most influential students.” This truly saddens me, given that the College Republicans are the largest and most active Registered Student Organization on campus. Over the last two years, our organization has specifically engaged the student body in more events than any other group on campus. Our organization has been nationally recognized on more than one occasion in our pursuit for equal rights and intellectual diversity to be had by all college students, including conservatives. Your constant preference of liberal students, some of which – in reference to the articles – have not done half as much as some of my members is quite disgusting, and borders upon a ridiculous addiction of biased coverage and infantile nepotism. I implore you to take a look at the journalism code of ethics. You have an obligation to serve the entire student body.

Daniel F. Schanze
senior, marketing
president, College Republicans

Editor:
Being a former columnist, I can say your newspaper is a “little” biased based on all my experiences there, however, I feel it is unfair you have chosen to not name a single member of the largest and most active club on campus as one of top 20 most influential students. Our club has held more events than any organization and has tried to promote real intellectual diversity on campus while respecting others and spreading knowledge to students and the community. Our club has leaders who deserve recognition for everything they have accomplished here at WSU. The club I am speaking of is, of course, the College Republicans. Please consider this information the next time you decide to do a series such as the “20 most influential students.” You aren’t influential just because you’re a liberal.


Alex Williams
senior, marketing
vice president, College Republicans

I do understand the frustration that can come with being overlooked. However, read the response sent to Daniel Schanze, as posted on Palousitics.

From: Daily Evergreen Editor
Date: April 23, 2008 7:12:34 PM PDT
To: Daniel Schanze
Cc: News Editor Evergreen
Subject: Re: 20 most influential students?

Mr. Schanze,

The introduction to each day's series of "20 of the most influential students" states "Many WSU students are here doing more than earning their degrees. Many affect the lives of others on campus and we tried to pick 20 undergraduates whose influence shapes our campus community."

There was a long, heated discussion about the nature of this series. This is in no way supposed to be an empirical list of the 20 students doing the most on campus. We chose 20 who are shaping the campus experience in a certain way. In addition, a staff editorial ran the same day as the first chapter of the series which stated "We know there are countless others working to change the world ..." and including a box that stated "Should some students have been included or not included? Were any groups missed? – Write a letter to the editor."

I understand there is an image of the Evergreen, and of many media outlets, that there is, as you state, a "preference of liberal students" and ideals, and that is something we have tried to address. There was no political discussion regarding this series.

The series was originally planned to be a list of 25, and a member of that list was Christopher Del Beccaro, who we attempted to contact but was not able to get through to because the voicemail box on the number we have for him was full. As a newspaper, by nature, we have to conform to deadlines and so we had to drop down to 20, and that was why we made sure to include the phrasing 20 "of the most influential" instead of "the 20 most influential students."

In addition, you say the Evergreen is bordering upon "a ridiculous addiction of bias coverage and infantile nepotism." If you remember, both Lisa Waananen and I – both the editors-in-chief this year — attended your meetings and sat with members of the College Republicans on multiple occasions regarding your concerns of our coverage. Since then, we have covered College Republican events that we have been notified of, of which I received three to my personal e-mail address that I gave your members. One: The national language demonstration last year, Two: The screening of an Iraq war documentary around the same time and Three: A demonstration titled "Vote For Your Favorite Domestic Terrorist." We covered two of these three (and I personally wrote one) but not the last one because we were notified too late to assign it. Also, just weeks ago there was a front page story titled "College Republicans work to help Iraqi children." In the past three months, our news editor has received one press release from the College Republicans, which was for the Dinesh D'Souza speech, which we devoted considerable space to, not just for the speech but for the multitude of responses both as letters to the editor and guest commentaries.

I know I am biased toward how we cover things as the editor, but I fail to see a "constant preference of liberal students."

It is a constant complaint we face, that we are inadequate in our coverage. We knew that the "20 of the most influential students" would not please everyone and that is why we made outlets available for other input. We included one student who is active with the Progressive Student Union because this year their actions prompted President Floyd to take his own action – additionally, this student was involved with multiple other groups on campus including ASWSU. Had we done this series last year, I guarantee Kiley Smith or another member of the CRs would have been featured because of what the CRs were involved in and accomplished.

Thank you for addressing your concerns.

Brian Everstine

Editor-in-Chief
The Daily Evergreen
www.dailyevergreen.com

That completely logical response on behalf of the editor refuted every single argument made by the CR's (You weren't ignored, your group member just didn't answer his phone. We did cover your events, even when you didn't send us press releases). There were also two opinion columnists this year who are members of the CR's, with not a single Young Democrat holding that position in the Evergreen. We did have two members in the MiX section; maybe that explains the liberal slant in lifestyles.

Stop whining. It is not attractive after the age of 13. Maybe if the group was being ignored in any way, shape or form it might be justified. Might. But the "20 most influential" article stated, on the first day it ran, that if you wanted to nominate somebody for the award there was still time to do so. You lost your opportunity for more recognition for inflammatory and pointless events. Soccer balls for Iraqi children? What about electricity and the safety to return to their homes? I forgot. One of your fathers owns a sporting equipment store. I'm glad your charity drive was so convenient for you.

Grow up and take your soccer balls with you.

And see you next year.