As residents of Lincoln Hall, we are very concerned by your most inaccurate story sensationalized on the front page of the Star, Nov. 1. Shall we discuss your inaccuracies piece by piece?

You are quite eager to report in your screaming headline that a “Rowdy” Crowd Cheers Mugger, and even ‘guestimate’ that there may have been as many as 150 people cheering for the crime.

You immediately follow the statement with another sentence stating that nobody will confirm the crowd size.

If this is unconfirmed, why report it? Aren’t there some sort of journalist ethics about reporting unconfirmed facts?

Your reports of flying pizza and verbal encouragement are also completely unfounded.

Some of our committee members were present at the time of the incident and saw none of the behaviors you addressed. We believe absolutely no effort was made to contact residents who witnessed the event.

Your “reporting” tactics obviously didn’t include confirmation of rumors of different parties involved.

Your publishing these unfounded reports is a prime example of racism existing in our society.

Some students and visitors of Lincoln Hall have negative perceptions of the crowd that “hangs out” in the lobby. We feel this fact relevant only because some students have negative perceptions about Lincoln Hall’s lobby as a “black hangout.”

Although students unfamiliar with the demographics of Lincoln’s lobby might not read anything but your unconfirmed reports, your biased story (which strongly suggests that the whole lobby crowd acted in unified malevolence) will only serve to strengthen negative connotations and stereotypes for students that have misconceptions about the “lobby crowd.”

The fact is, a very well-written summary of the incident appeared on page three of the Oct. 31 (Wednesday) edition of the Star.

The Thursday “story” added no new facts (only unconfirmed rumors) and appeared on page one. Care to explain?

Why was the story printed twice? How do you account for the obvious differences in tone and content? We are most interested in your response.

Members of Lincoln Hall’s Black Student Caucus

and BSC adviser Ted Manning