More chatter at the Post-Dispatch

Alex Mayer just posted a blog on the latest story by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He makes some great points about the logic of the University’s comments on the matter.

While Biondi and the administration deny this charge, it seems that their causus belli about Meyer having a disruptive and “confusing” influence on the paper vis-a-vis the administration-appointed adviser is rather thin, as evidenced by Meyer’s apparently steadfast support from the newspaper staff and the student body.

This latest development seems almost comical in its pettiness. Threatening to physically bar Meyer from the newsroom? When it’s clear that the newspaper staff want him there, value his input, and appreciate his volunteered time?

The administration cited anonymous “students” who “complained” about Meyer’s presence creating a “tense atmosphere” with the administration-appointed advisor — but didn’t identify them or even say how many had approached them about the issue. Meanwhile, many students were willing to put their name to interviews, signed letters to the editor, and petitions supporting Meyer.

“You shouldn’t have two people with different ideas causing confusion”? At a newspaper? Maybe it’s just me, but I was under the impression that newspapers — especially student newspapers — should be precisely the place for ”different ideas” to be debated and discussed. While having “one voice,” i.e. unanimity of opinion (directed solely by an administration-appointed adviser, of course) might be desirable to the SLU administration, differences in opinion at the U News should be seen as a strength — not a weakness.

If Meyer wants to volunteer his time to the student publication, and the newspaper staff want him there, who is to say that he should be prohibited from doing so? It certainly shouldn’t be the place of a school administration that has shown itself averse to criticism and has clearly proven it wants to assert control over the paper’s content.

To me, the assault on Meyer appears to be an attempt to put the final nail in the coffin of freedom of the press at SLU by removing the last remaining independent influence at the University News.

Please continue to speak your mind on the matter – comment on our blog and write to Alex and the Editorial Staff at the Post-Dispatch.