2008 Woodie Awards
Date Auction is charity, not prostitution
By: Beth Blumfelder
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Letters to the Editor
Dear writers at The Journal,
I first of all would like to thank you for covering the event of the Date Auction, sponsored by the Residential Housing Association. I personally love reading the new Journal every Wednesday to see what I have missed the past week.
I, however, would like to make some comments about your article on the Date Auction in your past April 11 issue.
First, the title that promotes the event as "legal prostitution" is completely distasteful. Not only does it insult this event that has become an institution on campus, but it insults the amazing volunteers who put themselves out there to benefit the American Heart Association. Giving such prominence to an unofficial advertisement on Facebook seems a bit biased, especially without interviews from the official organizers of the event. You at The Journal pride yourselves on the fact that your writings are not only read by the students at Webster St. Louis, so please take that into consideration when you passively insult your own campus.
Second, why did it matter the Date Auction was April 10 rather than Feb. 13? An auction is an auction no matter when it takes place. RHA collectively made a decision this year to shift the timing so that it could continue to be a large-scale, well-planned philanthropic event.
I would also like to apologize to any students who may have been turned down for inclusion within the Date Auction. It is encouraging and heart warming to see how many students are willing to volunteer their time for a good cause, and it is unfortunate the length of the event prohibits us from accepting everyone. I am sorry if any of my last-minute decisions with the insertion of Dan Miller caused any hard feelings, but I can admit they were difficult to make and, in the end, the benefit to the charity was my main priority.
Finally, I would love for The Journal to please stop quoting friends when it comes to writing future articles. Please quote those who were involved in the event to get some of the facts a little more accurate. You are involved at Webster so you know where and how to contact fellow leaders on campus.
Beth Blumfelder
Junior, Art History
RHA vice president
I first of all would like to thank you for covering the event of the Date Auction, sponsored by the Residential Housing Association. I personally love reading the new Journal every Wednesday to see what I have missed the past week.
I, however, would like to make some comments about your article on the Date Auction in your past April 11 issue.
First, the title that promotes the event as "legal prostitution" is completely distasteful. Not only does it insult this event that has become an institution on campus, but it insults the amazing volunteers who put themselves out there to benefit the American Heart Association. Giving such prominence to an unofficial advertisement on Facebook seems a bit biased, especially without interviews from the official organizers of the event. You at The Journal pride yourselves on the fact that your writings are not only read by the students at Webster St. Louis, so please take that into consideration when you passively insult your own campus.
Second, why did it matter the Date Auction was April 10 rather than Feb. 13? An auction is an auction no matter when it takes place. RHA collectively made a decision this year to shift the timing so that it could continue to be a large-scale, well-planned philanthropic event.
I would also like to apologize to any students who may have been turned down for inclusion within the Date Auction. It is encouraging and heart warming to see how many students are willing to volunteer their time for a good cause, and it is unfortunate the length of the event prohibits us from accepting everyone. I am sorry if any of my last-minute decisions with the insertion of Dan Miller caused any hard feelings, but I can admit they were difficult to make and, in the end, the benefit to the charity was my main priority.
Finally, I would love for The Journal to please stop quoting friends when it comes to writing future articles. Please quote those who were involved in the event to get some of the facts a little more accurate. You are involved at Webster so you know where and how to contact fellow leaders on campus.
Beth Blumfelder
Junior, Art History
RHA vice president
Be the first to comment on this story