2008 Woodie Awards
The Hawk apologizes for Squawk content
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: News
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To the student body, faculty, administrators, and entire Saint Joseph's University community:
I, as Editor in Chief of The Hawk Newspaper, would like to apologize for the inappropriateness of last week's Squawk and the offense taken as a result of it. Although I was not directly involved in the writing or compiling of The Squawk, I take full responsibility for it. As Editor in Chief of The Hawk, it was my duty to oversee The Squawk's production and approve its content. I personally examined each page, article, and ad of The Squawk, and despite some of my own reservations, allowed questionably inappropriate material to be printed. For that I am deeply sorry.
A tradition at Saint Joseph's for many years, The Squawk has offered graduating seniors who have been involved with The Hawk a chance to produce an April Fool's edition of nonsensical fun. Although I reviewed the content of The Squawk, much of it was kept secret from many members of The Hawk staff as well as from our advisor, Dr. Jenny Spinner. That was traditionally part of the fun, but in the end, the writings of a few implicated many innocent people associated with the newspaper.
I grossly underestimated the personal and hurtful consequences that such nonsense could incur. Those of us who produce The Hawk hold it to certain ethical standards, and The Squawk, despite being parody, should also be held to those standards, a fact I did not comprehend until now. Parody does not sanction disrespect, and last week's Squawk was disrespectful to many.
Regardless of its intent, The Squawk offended. It offended people directly; it offended their va lues and their religious sensibilities. The Hawk Newspaper is the student newspaper of Saint Joseph's University. It is managed by students who are receiving the education and learning the values that this University attempts to instill. We are educated and live in an environment of openness and, above all, respect. The Hawk embraces those values, and so, by extension, should The Squawk.
I, as Editor in Chief of The Hawk Newspaper, would like to apologize for the inappropriateness of last week's Squawk and the offense taken as a result of it. Although I was not directly involved in the writing or compiling of The Squawk, I take full responsibility for it. As Editor in Chief of The Hawk, it was my duty to oversee The Squawk's production and approve its content. I personally examined each page, article, and ad of The Squawk, and despite some of my own reservations, allowed questionably inappropriate material to be printed. For that I am deeply sorry.
A tradition at Saint Joseph's for many years, The Squawk has offered graduating seniors who have been involved with The Hawk a chance to produce an April Fool's edition of nonsensical fun. Although I reviewed the content of The Squawk, much of it was kept secret from many members of The Hawk staff as well as from our advisor, Dr. Jenny Spinner. That was traditionally part of the fun, but in the end, the writings of a few implicated many innocent people associated with the newspaper.
I grossly underestimated the personal and hurtful consequences that such nonsense could incur. Those of us who produce The Hawk hold it to certain ethical standards, and The Squawk, despite being parody, should also be held to those standards, a fact I did not comprehend until now. Parody does not sanction disrespect, and last week's Squawk was disrespectful to many.
Regardless of its intent, The Squawk offended. It offended people directly; it offended their va lues and their religious sensibilities. The Hawk Newspaper is the student newspaper of Saint Joseph's University. It is managed by students who are receiving the education and learning the values that this University attempts to instill. We are educated and live in an environment of openness and, above all, respect. The Hawk embraces those values, and so, by extension, should The Squawk.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 10
Sheila Warner
posted 4/04/07 @ 6:47 PM EST
It seems unbelievable that any student at St Joe's could not have understood the inappropriate content submitted and published in the student newspaper. (Continued…)
John Petsinger
posted 4/05/07 @ 7:55 AM EST
How DARE you call Cardinal Rigali "gay"?
It's an insult to gay people everywhere.
Hate is NOT a family value.
Darnell Goggins
posted 4/05/07 @ 10:11 AM EST
I can't immagine anyone who bothered to read the Archdiocesan Response to the Grand Jury Investigation of clergy abuse of children apologizing to Cardinal Rigali for anything. (Continued…)
Jesse
posted 4/06/07 @ 2:20 AM EST
i am so sad, i cry and cry. no one cares because i am all alone. I try to get over the past but it sneak up on me. the squawk ruined my life and threw me for a whirl wind. (Continued…)
Jesse
posted 4/06/07 @ 2:20 AM EST
i am so sad, i cry and cry. no one cares because i am all alone. I try to get over the past but it sneak up on me. the squawk ruined my life and threw me for a whirl wind. (Continued…)
KG93
Kevin Gemmell
posted 4/06/07 @ 10:35 AM EST
Obviously the more conservative folks out there didn't find The Squawk as humorous as I did. I commend the editors and writers for their wit and biting sarcasm. (Continued…)
Shawn
posted 4/09/07 @ 12:27 AM EST
Honestly, I think this has to be one of the stupidest moves ever. This is way worse then the "... Supports Gay Wrights" that made it's appearance at the Villanova game a few years back. (Continued…)
Vincent
posted 4/09/07 @ 10:26 AM EST
I am writing to express my deep anger at the April Fool's joke which was done in very bad taste. As a friend of mine put it, this insult, among many others, is another sign pointing to the disrespect, liberalism, and anti-Catholic attitudes of many of our Catholic colleges today but particularly here at St. (Continued…)
Kate
posted 4/10/07 @ 11:03 AM EST
Although the content of "the squalk" was inappropriate, the seniors were simply trying to have fun. I agree with most of the comments in that it was terrible content that hurt a lot of people; however, I feel as though people are taking this too seriously. (Continued…)
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