President Cohen sent out an email to the campus community about it too...
Jared L. Cohon wrote:April 5, 2004
Dear Members of the Community:
I write to condemn an irresponsible and unconscionable act that has created harm to all of our campus. The horrible cartoon in the April 1, 2004, edition of The Tartan is a repudiation of our core values and it must not be tolerated. I condemn the author for creating this cartoon and the editors of The Tartan for allowing this cartoon to run.
Civility and respect for others is one of the primary hallmarks of an educated person. This begins with our own community. While academic freedom ensures that we can exchange ideas and opinions freely, being an educated person means treating others with respect. In general, over the last few years especially, we have come to be a community that is inclusive, respectful, caring and compassionate. It pains me, therefore, that we have students here who would conceive of and publish such a thing, who could possibly believe something like this was funny or ironic, or who don't duly assume the full thrust of responsibility that they have as leaders of a student newspaper.
I have focused on the blatantly racist cartoon directed at African Americans, but, in fact, much of the April 1 issue was hateful and offensive to women, gays and lesbians, Hispanics and other individuals. This entire piece is an affront to all people of conscience and diametrically opposed to the firmly held values and beliefs of this community. We have worked together to make Carnegie Mellon a diverse and welcoming community and a safe place. As we condemn the acts of a few, whether thoughtless or malicious, we must commit ourselves to sustained engagement and involvement to ensure that the voice of reason and respect is heard throughout the campus.
We are establishing a commission immediately, to include students, faculty, staff, and alumni to review this entire matter. This commission will report to Dean Murphy as to appropriate university action, including the potential for referral to the University Disciplinary Committee for individuals involved. Our objective is not administrative interference in the student newspaper, but to offer our student community the support necessary to ensure that an informed, autonomous and responsible student voice is heard, and that the core values of this institution are affirmed in the context of serious and responsible student journalism. The steps that we take will ensure respect for thoughtful and appropriate decision making and will be in the best interests of our students and
community.
Sincerely,
Jared L. Cohon
