Letters To The Editor

Editor acted responsibly in addressing plagiarized story

Good for Editor in Chief Ryan Wenzel for taking swift, transparent action to correct an ethical lapse at The Daily Northwestern. Any publication, student or otherwise, must fiercely protect its integrity to be credible.

I am certain The Daily will take some heat for dismissing a novice writer. The editor found that the reporter copied quotes from a two-year old Daily story, said she taped an interview the source denied was taped and acknowledged that she knew what she did was wrong.

Several Medill alums already have said in e-mails that the editor "overreacted." But in acting as he did, Wenzel sends a message to readers, other reporters and the reporter in question that The Daily holds itself to professional standards. If other editors would be as principled, perhaps the public would have more faith in the profession, and the profession would have fewer ethical problems.

- Donna R. Leff Medill professor Former Daily editor in chief

Don't forget football team's most dedicated supporters

In reading The Daily's Monday coverage of NU football's win over Iowa, I was disappointed by the failure to mention a very significant group of fans who made the trek to "corn country" to cheer on the Cats: the marching band.

Both Steve Silver and Patrick Dorsey led their articles on the game by celebrating the much-missed sounds of the football team singing the fight song after winning a game. However, both incorrectly ascribed this celebration to a "small gathering of NU fans" and the "few fans" that made the trip that day. But it was the NU Marching Band - one of the oldest groups at Northwestern and easily the most vocal, consistent and loyal fans of NU football - who carried the tune with the football players that day.

The band doesn't need or expect recognition, but neglecting the presence of the loudest, most devoted fans of the team is not only inaccurate - it suggests that our student body lost faith in the team and that very few were there to witness the monumental win. In fact, there were more than 150 of us there, screaming our heads off as we watched the Cats dominate the Hawkeyes. We never lost faith, and it was an honor to have the team run over at the end of the game to sing the fight song with us.

We love our team! Go Cats!

- Brittany Petersen Medill sophomore NU Marching Band member

ResCons, get over changes to tech support service

Heaven forbid the ResCons have normal working hours ("NUIT changes ignored objections from ResCons," letters, Nov. 1)! Scheduling when you're a college student is such a trial: Should I take a nap at 2:30 or 3? When will I have time to play "World of Warcraft" if I have to go to work as well? Most normal people make time commitments and stick to them - is it too much to ask of a ResCon?

In most jobs, people work set time slots. All it takes is a bit of planning and coordination. However, the focus of the ResCon debate should not be the ResCons' inability to get their schedules together; rather, it should be the services that the new "office hours" provide. Yes, having to pick up your laptop and walk it to Lisa's Cafe or Crowe Cafe is a pain, but so is having to reschedule a dorm room appointment because either you or the ResCon forgot or got tied up. It happened with the old system - a lot.

Walk-in hours are convenient because people know exactly when they can expect to find a ResCon. Therefore, they can be assured that they get help the minute they need it, rather than having to wait three to four days for their schedule to match with a ResCon's.

Of course, this immediate help depends on the ResCons being at their appointed spot at the appointed time - and we come full circle! Someone tell these kids to stop whining and get Meeting Maker, Outlook or Gmail, any of which have scheduling capabilities. Or better yet: a calendar!

- Emily Hinkens McCormick senior