Your editorial regarding my presentation to the Honor Committee Sunday ("Reaching Out," Oct. 21) included several fairly substantial errors.
First, the group I presented is called the "Accused Outreach Program," not the "Student Outreach Program." It may just be a name, but it seems irresponsible to make so basic an erorr.
Second, the AOP has absolutely nothing to do with Hoos Against Single Sanction or anything like HASS. HASS was an advocacy organization, AOP is a support group. AOP does not fill any kind of "void" that may or may not have been left by HASS, as HASS never sought to assist students presently suffering through the honor system.
Third, the Committee was not asked to refer students to AOP. As I repeatedly stated on Sunday, it was asked to inform students AOP exists, as it does with CAPS and attorneys, which also fall outside of their control. This is not an endorsement, and the Committee is free, without liability risk, to inform students about resources available to them. In fact, honor's by-laws requires it to do so. Additionally, contrary to your editorial's assertion, the Committee has not actually said no to doing this, nor should they.
Finally, AOP has no way to reach the students it is intended to help. Advertising can only go so far. The Committee, properly, keeps the names of accused students confidential, and only the Committee can ensure that the students have the necessary information.
A little proof-reading and fact-checking can go a long way when writing an editorial, and it is hard to believe that serious thought was given to the matter when so many basic errors were made.
Sam Leven\nLAW III
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