I have already spoken with Dave Kirkpatrick (editor) and Marianne Renner (news editor) regarding the erroneous information found in last week’s (July 26)Star front page headline article relating to the interim vice president for student affairs position. Mentioning my name and most of the others the presumed “list” of those being considered is absolutely false. I was never contacted or even considered for the position.

My associate director, Felecia Thomas, also was stunned to read about her personal correspondence being mentioned in the article and the assumptions as to the content of that particular letter.

Although I received a gracious apology from The Northern Star staff, I remain dismayed and distressed that the Star staff would operate on such unfounded rumors. This situation can be compared to throwing a bag of confetti from a mountain top and then attempting to pick up the pieces—the damage has been done.

You claim a “reliable source” provided you with information; yet based on all the incorrect informaton in the article, you need to re-examine your definition of “reliable.”

No one confirmed, or even attempted to confirm the validity of any statements directly with me.

The article fueled much ill will and confusion at a time the division of student affairs and members of the university community need to band together.

A change in leadership is always a somewhat tentative process, and your article only unnecessarily raised anxieties and speculation.

In the future, I would encourage more responsible journalism based on facts, truth and a strong sense of ethics when reporting the news.

Michelle Emmett

Director

University Programming and Activities