To the Editor:
Since I have been a student at USM, I have noticed that there are always negative statements about Greek Life. It’s either we don’t do anything, we don’t get along, we’re drunks, etc. Just because we all have different beliefs, traditions, different philanthropy ideas, etc, doesn’t mean we don’t get along. As for the drinking, I know a lot of Greek members that don’t drink, or drink very little. I see more students that aren’t Greek drink a lot more than people who are Greek.
Now can you honestly tell me how many students that are not Greek, do community service or help around without getting something in return? There are a few selected that do, and that ones that do, I applaud you on that and there should be more people like you. On May 1, there was a March of Dimes walk that was held at Andover College. Many sponsors were there, including Q97.9. Waking up early was a challenge to many people, but when we got there, many facilities had lack of help, so Greek Life helped out.
So not only did we raise a lot of money for this walk, we stepped up and helped out a little too. I know Kappa Iota and Phi Mu ended up painting faces. It was a great time, and everyone was smiling and getting along. One person even won Sea Dog tickets. The organizations that participated were Kappa Iota, Alpha Xi Delta, Kappa Delta Phi, and last but not least, Phi Mu. I just wanted to show everyone that we do get along and we honestly do great things out there for the community.
Alicia Sastamoine:
Kappa Iota
Sophomore, Social work
To the Editor:
As a member of the USM community and an involved student, I read the Letter from the Editor in this weeks edition of The Free Press with some alarm.
I am the chair of the Portland Events Board this year, was vice- chair last year, and as such have worked extensively with Chris O’Connor, and I believe I have a good grasp of his role on campus. The Free Press is indeed a fairly separate entity to the school. And it is also run like a business. This may be why I was so surprised at the letter this week. I found it unprofessional, and as such, not a good representation of the face The Free Press hopes to show the world.
Chris is Jess’s supervisor. If Jess felt she needed assistance, or even feedback on an ongoing issue between two members of the executive board of The Free Press, then who else should she turn to? Not only that, but as Assistant to the Dean of Student Life, Chris has his finger pretty well on the pulse of life here in Portland. He knew the students involved, and was obviously made aware of the situation.
In sensitive situations, involved participants are often asked to leave the room. Bronson stated in his letter that he was not allowed to voice his concerns, or vote. Was the other student? If one was allowed to stay while the other left, I would consider that unfair. But both were asked to leave. The fact the executive board overturned Bronson’s decision is perhaps indicative of how they felt. It is often hard to discuss how you truly feel in front of not only a supervisor, but a friend. I can only assume that Bronson leaving the room probably gave the students a chance to think the situation through more objectively. Yes, the paper is unique as an institution. And I am sure is tricky to deal with. But this was not a business issue, this was a student issue, and therefore certainly under Chris’s jurisdiction.
Yes, the Letter from the Editor is your own choice, but The Free Press should be used as a tool to inform students of news both on -and off-campus, not as a forum for airing personal grievances.
If you really want to run the Free Press as a business, then run it-don’t get personal and unprofessional.
Throughout the entire editor’s letter, a consistent point was made in mentioning specifically how things should have been handled, and there were quotes from some serious backup-Joseph Austin, Senate rules, votes, etc. Where does it say, “if the outcome isn’t what you want, we will print a letter to the entire student body about someone who has been a remarkable support person, and a always fantastic contributor to student life at USM?” Tonight, May 5, Chris will be receiving an “Outstanding Contribution to Student Life” award at the USM Student Involvement Recognition Night. I hope The Free Press is there to record that.
Elle Langevin
Portland Events Board, chair