4 december 6, 2 011
opinion@ da ilyor a nge.com
SA asks students to get involved in debate on SU’s reputation I am thankful as each class day begins for my decision to attend Syracuse University. Enrolling in a school where I am among a large group of bright, hardworking and diverse students was of importance to me throughout the college search. With the recent accusations of sexual abuse in the media and the toll that the end of the semester can take on all of us, it can be quite easy to forget about the composition of the institution that we pay our allegiance, our tuition and our endless support to. This semester, Nicholas Iaquinto, a Student Association assemblymember, and I have spent significant time addressing the recent national attention that SU has received in regards to its national academic ranking, its vision for admitting students and its increased focus on the greater Syracuse community. This semester, we were fortunate enough to have Don Saleh, vice president of enrollment management, as well as
LET TER TO THE EDITOR beloved professor of history David Bennett in to speak to assemblymembers regarding these highly important and topical issues. Both gentlemen raised valid points regarding SU’s vision. While Bennett voiced his concerns about the selectivity and practicality of Syracuse’s policies, he made clear that SU has adopted a valiant and admirable way of recruiting and admitting future students. Saleh detailed the significant benefits of admitting a class of students who are increasingly defined by more than traditional standardized testing methods, but still acknowledged the validity of the metrics that most national schools rely upon. It becomes quite clear that this issue cannot be answered simply or quantitatively. Those who agree but are skeptical of SU’s
new vision can accept that this issue carries significant importance. Although I don’t pretend to have a definitive answer to this question, I do know that it is our duty as students, faculty and administrators to continue this discussion. The affection and allegiance that I hold to this school compels me to follow this issue through to its end — and I implore my peers to do the same. Regardless of where this issue brings our school, the combined pledge to pursue a career of Scholarship in Action binds us to question and explore such important issues. During the upcoming Winter Break, sit down with your family, friends and peers to have a meaningful discussion about the SU’s past, present and future place in the global forum of higher education.
Jesse Feitel
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVE JUNIOR POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR
SNL parody of bumbling leadership rings a little too true “Saturday Night Live” performed a skit last weekend in which the hosts parodied the child molestation scandals at Pennsylvania State University and Syracuse University. In the parody, Jason Sudeikis plays a fictional coach at a college where he proactively investigated another member of the coaching staff named “coach Bert.” The investigation, no doubt a reference to SU’s 2005 investigation, included a search of his computer, 24-hour surveillance for a week and planting a student decoy. “We were on him for a week and he never molested anyone — and he never washed his
EDITORIAL by the daily orange editorial board hands!” shouted a fictional detective in disgust. An article published in The Post-Standard on Monday asks are comedians “going too far?” As part of the SU community, feeling the very real and very unfunny effects of a child molestation scandal, it’s easy for us to say, “Yes, it’s too far.” Had the skit at all included parodied victims of sexual assault, the answer would likewise be yes. But given the purpose of satire, that is to
use humor to point to real deficiencies or at least quirks in our system and our leaders, SNL wrote a completely appropriate skit. The bickering among city officials, a seemingly deficient investigation by the school and a nonexistent investigation by Syracuse police are all blundering and, in a twisted way, laughable. We didn’t need Seth Meyers or Kenan Thompson to write that. Rather than asking if it’s too soon, we ought to ask, “Is this too real?” And how can we keep our school and our leaders from being the butt of national comedy ever again.