Pubdate: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 Source: Buchtelite, The (U of Akron, OH Edu) Copyright: 2006 The Buchtelite Contact: http://www.buchtelite.com/about/letters.shtml Website: http://www.buchtelite.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4117 Author: Lisa Kopec, News Editor Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) BEACON JOURNAL RESPONDS TO UA The cliche goes: Don't pick fights with anyone who buys ink by the barrel. The University of Akron administration must not believe that. Last week, the university accused the Akron Beacon Journal of misstating the facts in a series about UA graduate student Charles Plinton, who committed suicide after being suspended from school for drug trafficking. The Akron Beacon Journal responded Monday. "If the series of stories that is being responded to reflects a lack of caring on the university's part, the story was not the driver for the lack of caring," said Beacon Journal editor Debra Simmons Adams. "It's kind of difficult to reflect caring when the communication that has occurred has been by way of e-mail. If someone from the university wanted to express care or talk about steps to be taken, we would have reflected that in our story." Proenza released the most recent university statement to UA employees through e-mail on March 15. The e-mail expressed his saddeness over Plinton's death. He called for a review of law enforcement policies and practices, a review of student disciplinary process and a review of employee actions. Candace Campbell Jackson, the president's chief of staff, said the university's choice of communication is open and responsive. "We care deeply about all members of the UA family and we will continue to share that message," Jackson said in an e-mail. "Our communication form will be e-mail, small group meetings, telephone calls to students, faculty and staff, statements to the press, as appropriate." In a statement released March 13, the university said: "We are disappointed to see the facts presented in the Akron Beacon Journal in a way that seem to indicate both a lack of caring and a lack of standards disciplinary process here at the University of Akron, neither which are true." The series' author, John Higgins, defended his reporting. "We are just trying to get the story truthfully, accurately and fairly," he said. Plinton was found "responsible" for trafficking drugs on campus by a panel randomly selected by Student Judicial Affairs. The decision was made after a Summit County Common Pleas Court jury dismissed Plinton's case. A confidential informant originally accused Plinton. The informant, known as "Hulk" was placed in the dorm next to Plinton in Wallaby Hall. "Hulk" had a felony record and was paid $50 by the Summit County Drug Unit for every person he caught trafficking drugs. "The community is really waiting for a response from the university," Adams Simmons said. "I would have appreciated the university giving us that response."