I was starting a note congratulating the Star on excellent investigative

journalism published Tuesday (“The Root of the Issue”), when I

discovered the second, well researched, critically written piece (bowl

game spending) published Wednesday. Back-to-back excellence!

Two quick thoughts:

1) You will receive feedback alleging everything from unfairness to

negative school spirit to outright lies. Consider these criticisms

carefully where they have merit, which won’t take long: most of them

won’t have merit. (Years ago, I and my college paper staff took a lot

of heat for reporting a rape on campus because the news was

“negative.”)

2) The next time somebody gripes about the rising costs of a university

degree, refer them to either/both of these pieces. Seldom do

dramatically increased costs come from a university’s core mission of

teaching, research and service.

For now, please know that I am humbled and flattered to teach and work

with such talent. Keep up the good work.

Jason Akst

journalism instructor