‘Generosity’ not meant to hurt candidate’s chances

This letter is in response to the editorial that appeared in The Pacer on April 18, 2006 (“Editorial: Is the search for show?”).

The L.E.A.D. Academy asked The Pacer to do an article outlining the details of the “This Is Your Life“ event, but instead an editorial appeared that seems to misconstrue the facts. Since no member of the L.E.A.D. Academy was contacted by The Pacer concerning the details surrounding the This Is Your Life Event, we as the Coordinator and Fundraising Supervisor for the L.E.A.D. Academy would like to clear the misconceptions set forth by The Pacer.

Furthermore, we are distressed that The Pacer, a student organization itself, chose not to support a fellow organization in the promotion and facilitation of an event.

This event was not intended to be an endorsement for David Belote’s candidacy for Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. The L.E.A.D. Academy approached Mr. Belote with this idea in late July of 2005.

Mr. Belote kindly agreed to be our first guest, in an event that the L.E.A.D. Academy plans to make as an annual fundraiser. At this time, Mr. Belote had not submitted his application for the Vice Chancellor position, and he, nor any member of the L.E.A.D.

Academy, could foresee the search spanning into April of 2006.

As the Spring semester approached, and Mr. Belote realized the timing of the event, he wanted to cancel his involvement with the event. But since the event had been in the planning stages since July, and David understood the educational value of the event, he allowed the L.E.A.D. Academy to continue with the planned event.

So to set the record straight, the L.E.A.D. Academy did not put this event together to endorse David Belote, rather David Belote endorsed the L.E.A.D. Academy by allowing us to have the event.

David is an advocate of leadership and UTM. This is evident in the passion he has for his career. Furthermore, no member of the L.E.A.D. Academy serves on the search committee for the Vice Chancellor position, and no member of the search committee is attending the event. So our event has no bearing on the selection of the new Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. However, we do feel that the editorial in The Pacer has compromised the opinions of those who do serve on the search committee. We do not want David’s generosity to hinder his chances of becoming the next Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs.

Laura Humphrey Coordinator Student Organizations/L.E.A.D. Academy

Dustin Summers L.E.A.D. Academy Fundraising Supervisor

What ever happened to the freedom of speech?

I’m curious as to what civil rights are left for us after our freedom of speech is tampered with. (“Public Safety: Students may be liable for online comments“, April 18) The internet is a way for people to express themselves freely, isn’t it?

I myself keep a blog that I write in to tell my friends about what’s going on in my life. How is it harassment if my roommate annoys me and I type up, “she’s being such a blank today”?

I suppose it could be construed as harassment, but then what? I’ll be arrested for calling her a dirty word if it hurts her feelings?

How is that fair? I use words as a catharsis, even if it involves, dare I say it, curse words and the use of someone’s name along with them. If I can’t express myself online about something without the fear of being fined or arrested, do tell me what I should watch out for next. I do understand that there is a line that can be crossed online, but just for calling someone a dirty word when they’re mad someone?

I hope I’m not the only one who sees that as an injustice against one of the amendments people tend to hold most dear.

Kim Gibson English Fayetteville