After some careful consideration and a little less beer, we are seriously considering pulling the plug on Thorn in the Bruin. A thoughtful email from Belmont’s IT department suggests that we could do much more harm than good by revealing imperfections (and perceived imperfections) in the way the university disseminates information. Quoting from that email,
“There are better ways to encourage change within the university family than laundering your perceptions on a blog. Personal attacks, innuendo, and half-truths will not serve you well and may cause unintended pain within the university community. I ask that you reflect on your intentions before continuing this course.”
We will think about it and decide over the weekend.
Of course Belmont IT wants you to shut down the blog, the long arm of Belmont’s administration doesn’t want students to be openly complaining about the problems in the university. They want you to “encourage change” by participating in student government, whose motto may as well be “enjoy the status quo, everybody!”
Comment by Screw 'Em — June 22, 2008 @ 11:09 pm
You can choose to be a quality blogger (you seem to have the skills and understanding of the medium) and present your positions as part of civil discussion, or, you can choose to join the multitude of whiners and cowardly writers who publish disrespectful, personal insults and other dribble for no productive end whatsoever. The “long arm of Belmont’s administration” is more likely to listen to someone who is forthcoming and accountable for their complaints rather than someone who is taking cheap shots from the balcony.
I see glimpses of quality here that are missing from many student blogs. I hope that you choose to build on that. Take advantage of the experience of the Media Studies faculty and get their advice. I suspect that they would advise you well.
Comment by Paul Chenoweth — June 23, 2008 @ 4:57 am
If we go away, “Screw ‘Em” suggests that nothing will change. If we stay, Paul suggests that we need to play nice and become solid, ethical blogger/journalists. Somewhere in between those two positions is the Thorn in the Bruin. We’re not ‘Hatchet in the Bruin’ and we don’t see any particular reason to be ‘Flatulence Behind the Bruin’… we’re just a thorn, not deadly, not all that annoying, but just enough irritant to make people want to ask more of their university leaders than what gets excreted from a public relations machine.
We’re staying. Imperfect thorns and all. We are prepared to apologize if/when the commentary here becomes disrespectful and/or insulting. We would expect the same from the university if/when their communications/policies are disrespectful and/or insulting. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be anyone around who is willing to challenge the university. They need a Thorn in the Bruin.
Comment by thorninthebruin — June 23, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
Free speech it up my friends–We commenter will keep you honest as you keep Belmont honest. I dig it. If feel like things can be done on the Internet that aren’t as easily done on a physical campus. For instance, how many differnet newspapers are disagreeing with each other on Belmont’s campus? …
This is a great place to sharpen each other and who couldn’t use some sharpening.
And all are welcome to come to the table. I still do feel you need to take the highest road you can if you choose to stay anonymous. There are valid reasons for staying in this camp, but it requires giving up some freedom if you would have otherwise be in a conversation where all parties know who they are looking at.
And Paul, thanks for getting involved with the discussion.
Comment by Nate — June 24, 2008 @ 10:01 am