I am writing this as an Ohio University student, not as a representative of any organization. I am giving my personal view that in no way relates to my on-campus involvement. This disclaimer isn’t to prove a sentiment; rather, it is a necessary evil. During my time as a student leader at OU, I have been told to not speak to “the press” about issues concerning my involvement.
I have been told not to give quotes regarding issues I feel strongly about. I have been told to send fellow student journalists away in order to preserve my standing in the university community or to avoid a possible reprimand.
I have been silenced.
As a journalist and as a student who appreciates healthy dialogue, I cannot continue to stand by and watch the voices of OU students be muffled.
I appreciate the fact that OU creates committees to mull over issues and hear the OU community’s opinion, and I appreciate that OU provides committee members’ names (which can be found on ohio.edu/standingcommittees).
But, how many OU students reach out to a committee member to share an experience or issue? While I’m sure there are some, I doubt students are pounding down the door of, say, the Parking and Vehicle Violation Committee, to tell them about their latest problem with Parking Services.
Rather, it’s the student leaders who hear many of the students’ grievances. It’s the resident assistants, the dining hall managers, the leaders of student organizations and Student Senate.
Who can those people tell?
Sure, telling the “higher ups” is always a great option. However, I would be remiss to say reporting issues or concerns to a supervisor creates change all the time. So, what’s a different way someone can air his or her troubles? Well, according to your First Amendment rights, by going to the press!
Unfortunately for many students (and others in the world outside OU), that is a very risky move. There’s the argument of legality, FERPA, liability … Those various reasons can all come back like a boomerang and be applied to the student who told the press what they’ve experienced. I understand that those reasons are important; there are many cases where certain things cannot be discussed due to privacy or legal issues. However, it should be case by case.
Here’s an all-too-common example that I’m sure many student journalists have faced at OU. My friend, whom I’ll call “Peeta,” wanted to do a story on how the renovations and subsequent temporary closure of Nelson Dining Hall was affecting students and employees.
That was a rather tame story, something we in the industry call “fluff.” Peeta went to Nelson, hoping to get some employee’s perspective when he was stopped and informed that he would have to go through OU’s Communication and Marketing (Department) before speaking to anyone.
After jumping through hoops, he was finally granted an interview, only to later be prohibited from speaking to the employees because it was an on-camera interview.
I understand that trusting student employees to say accurate and sound things is a tough thing to do. But, if you can’t trust your student employees, then why were they even hired?
If you can’t trust the students in your group to speak about their experiences within the organization, then why are they members? Obviously, people will say the wrong things sometimes, but college is supposed to be a learning experience.
How will students learn to speak for themselves if they have never had the chance to do so?
I love OU.
I love it so much that I want things to get better. I want issues that students face to be brought to light and discussed. How will things get better if there isn’t an opportunity for honest dialogue?
Let’s create an open environment where people can speak without the fear of repercussion or loss of standing in the university community. Let’s create accountability.
Let’s show people that we are more than just a “party school;” rather, that OU is a place where students, faculty members and administrators can let their voices be heard — and listened to.
Molly Nocheck is a junior studying broadcast journalism
