When certain problems arise, stern and swift decisions are required. With the recent expulsion of Ohio University student Edward Mahony, it certainly was.
But in the aftermath of setting such a rigid standard, students and faculty deserve an explanation of how the university reached its decision.
Last week, the university expelled Mahony, who accosted two black female students with racial slurs and threats of violence on the second floor of Alden Library a few weeks ago, according to a June 7 Post article. Barring his expected appeal, Mahony will receive the academic equivalent of the death penalty ' a punishment that is by no means unjust, but one that deserves a public explanation.
No matter which way it's sliced, Mahony's tirade filled with blind threats and racial slurs merited a severe and harsh punishment. President Roderick McDavis has made it no secret that he wants a more diverse campus, so appearing soft on racism would be a major setback toward achieving this. Bad news travels faster than good, and with other news outlets besides The Post reporting on this incident, doing anything less than expulsion could have hurt efforts to remake the image of the university.
Because this decision had an effect on more than just Mahony and the two women affected by his ignorance, OU Judiciaries needs to explain its reasoning. Mahony's identity is certainly protected by the Federal Education Privacy Rights Act, but a general discussion without any mention of his name is possible.
It wouldn't be the first time either.
In May, McDavis announced at a press conference the suspension of John Fry, an OU student with, among other charges, carrying a weapon on university property. In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, the university felt compelled to be up front about students committing violent or threatening acts in order to avoid criticism.
With this latest incident, the critics are already emerging. Will this same standard apply with all future incidents involving discrimination? This sort of thing is inevitable and a public dialogue would help alleviate those concerns.
The decision to expel Mahony helps to curb OU's reputation as a campus with little regard for diversity, but it is a decision that deserves more explanation.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of the executive editors. Send your submissions to posteditorial@ohiou.edu.
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