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."