On Monday night, the Cavalier Daily published an article to highlight the failed attempt by the Office of Dean of Students and the Honor Committee to engage the Hispanic community in dialogue about the honor system. Only one student attended the event. Ms. Sharif from the Cavalier Daily claims that “representatives of the Latino Student Association could not be reached for comment Monday evening.”
Perhaps, the “Latino Student Association” could not be reached for comment because there is no such organization. However, there is a registered CIO called the Latino Student ALLIANCE. Along with other CIOs in the Minority Rights Coalition, LSA actively engaged with former Honor Chair Stephen Nash and the Honor committee earlier this semester to discuss the proposed informed retraction and jury reform. LSA provided its members with an opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposal and co-sponsored a debate for the Honor candidates on February 16. The Newcomb Ballroom was far from empty that afternoon.
The Latino Student Alliance cannot be held responsible for this failed event. LSA would gladly sponsor a town hall meeting with Honor anytime. That is, anytime other than 5:30 p.m. on this past Monday evening because LSA had scheduled an executive board transitional meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. In fact, the incoming president for the Latino Student Alliance notified Ms. Munoz, the intern for Julie Roa in ODOS, about LSA’s absence via email. Ms. Munoz confirmed that she received the notification.
Ms. Sharif claims that the “association” could not be reached for comment. LSA holds weekly meetings on Mondays from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. “Students fail to show for Honor Hispanic town hall” was published online at about 9 p.m.
This shows a lack of professionalism from Ms. Sharif and the Cavalier Daily staff. The Latino Student Alliance did not sponsor this event. Reporters should ask Honor and ODOS, the actual sponsors of the town hall, why they failed in attracting students.
Then, show some consistency. Just a week ago, you published an opinion piece highlighting LSA’s efforts in the anti-sweatshop, Alta Gracia campaign in “Moral Fabric.” Our CIO was labeled correctly in that article. It saddens me that the Cavalier Daily is so quick to publicly criticize the Hispanic community, yet the staff cannot praise its numerous achievements and positive events such as Latino Week, a week-long celebration of Latino culture that was held from April 15 to 20.
Next time, please allow us enough time to comment. Otherwise, I encourage your entire staff to come to Nau 141 next Monday at 7 p.m. to learn about the Latino Student Alliance. We would be more than happy to answer any of your questions then.
Luis Ortiz is a second-year College student and the outgoing advocacy chair for the Latino Student Alliance.
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