2008 Woodie Awards
Drag Ball article makes speculations
Issue date: 4/21/05 Section: Letters to the Editor
I was very disappointed with the front page article ("Student Activities cuts off Drag Ball funding," April 14.). This is not true. The University Center and Student Activities covered the $500 expense for the stage, chairs and other rentals for the event, and a program manager from the Student Activities Council worked with the rental company and with Webster Pride members to arrange the logistical details of these rentals.
What is true is that I had thought that it was mutually understood between the two organizations at the beginning of the year that SAC would not be participating as a sponsor due to the wishes of both groups. When Webster Pride Adviser Steve Houldsworth called me to indicate that his group members were still anticipating the co-sponsorship, I offered the financial and staff assistance mentioned above. For making an incorrect assumption, I take full responsibility on behalf of the University Center and Student Activities.
However, your article was unnecessary and divisive. Worst of all, it makes a completely vague and sourceless "speculation" that homophobia played a role in the decision-making of my staff members. I find this insulting. I welcome any constructive criticism that will enable members of my department to become better advocates for the GLBT community, but the peculiar placement of this statement in the article seems to do nothing but stir things up and cause distrust. This is an unfortunate approach from an award-winning newspaper.
John Ginsburg, Director
University Center and Student Activities
What is true is that I had thought that it was mutually understood between the two organizations at the beginning of the year that SAC would not be participating as a sponsor due to the wishes of both groups. When Webster Pride Adviser Steve Houldsworth called me to indicate that his group members were still anticipating the co-sponsorship, I offered the financial and staff assistance mentioned above. For making an incorrect assumption, I take full responsibility on behalf of the University Center and Student Activities.
However, your article was unnecessary and divisive. Worst of all, it makes a completely vague and sourceless "speculation" that homophobia played a role in the decision-making of my staff members. I find this insulting. I welcome any constructive criticism that will enable members of my department to become better advocates for the GLBT community, but the peculiar placement of this statement in the article seems to do nothing but stir things up and cause distrust. This is an unfortunate approach from an award-winning newspaper.
John Ginsburg, Director
University Center and Student Activities