Off 'The Chart'
Missouri Southern columnist takes cheap shot at non-trads
Josh Letner
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Opinion
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This week while reading the online version of The Chart, Missouri Southern's student newspaper, I was disturbed to read an opinion piece by Nathan Mills that attacked MSSU's non-traditional student population for engaging in such annoying practices as wearing MSSU clothing and asking questions in class.
While Mr. Mills has a right to his ill-conceived, poorly developed and offensive opinion, it is the manner in which he expressed it and the fact that it seems unguided by the journalist peers and editors who see their newspaper as a quality publication.
Mills used sexually explicit language describing genitalia and sexual acts to emphasize his asinine point. He insinuated that non-trads were willing to perform sexual acts to gain the favor of their instructors and used a reference to an erect penis to describe the behavior of a member of the Southern campus community.
I have spent a good amount of time in the media and I know that foul language has a seemingly inherent presence behind the scenes, but when the mic is on or when the words go on the page, profanity has no place.
As a student, I can understand the frustration that over zealous non-trads can cause, but that is no excuse to single them out for public ridicule. Many Southern students (43) responded to the column and some attacked the author, often using personal attacks in an attempt to harm the credibility of his opinion. I don't think any attack could possibly detract more from Mills' credibility than his column itself.
My issue is not with Mills, but with the editorial staff of The Chart. Where are the journalistic standards? Where is the desire for craft? Did no one believe The Chart could do better?
Mills tastelessly attacked a portion of his school's student population without regard for the turmoil Missouri Southern is already experiencing. With public education becoming more and more financially inaccessible, with the academic and professional careers of those who count on their local university hanging in the balance, why would anyone stand idly by while someone trashes those who want to persevere? The question begs to be asked if Southern really cares about non-trads, or if they are just collecting their money.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Jo Bean
posted 11/12/09 @ 5:47 PM CST
"As a student, I can understand the frustration that over zealous non-trads can cause," What do you mean by this? As a Student I can also understand the apathy that traditional students have, and the negativity this causes those of us who WANT to be in class. (Continued…)
Alesha Gilleland (MSSU non-trad)
posted 11/12/09 @ 10:31 PM CST
As one of the most vocal non-trads to oppose Nathan Mills article, I have now been put in the position, by your paper, to defend him.
I consider myself a very active non-trad and can verify first-hand that the MSSU community of traditional and non-trad students stand united. (Continued…)
Howie Lindeman
Howie Lindeman
posted 11/12/09 @ 10:58 PM CST
I was among the first to post on Nathan Mills' opinion; I recognized him as an idiot (genius) for drawing me in to comment on his column. I also took an aggressive position defending his "right to write," as well as the editor's decision to publish an obviously controversial opinion. (Continued…)
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