Letter to the Editor
Campus Times
March 26, 1999
Dear Editor,
Araceli Esparza's article concerning the dismissal of part-time Spanish
professor Paul Zarna ["Instructor's
dismissal sparks protest," March 19] reminded me of the Gulf War
protestations of the press that General Schwarzkopf would not answer every
question. Sometimes, you just have to trust that the government (in this
case, the faculty) is doing what is best for you. More details are not always
in your best interest.
I got the impression from the article that the students did not feel
that Dr. Lavatori was forthcoming regarding the reasons for the dismissal
of Mr. Zarna. As an outsider who teaches in the School of Business, I understand
and sympathize with the administration. They are not always free to talk
about the issues, and the Campus Times should understand that. The faculty
are not trying to hide information from the students; indeed, they are trying
every day to give our students the best education possible.
I also sympathize with the students (having been one myself in the "olden
days.") I just ask that they trust someone who says "I'm not free
to talk about that." True journalism respects the reasons for full
information before jumping to conclusions.
Dr. Janis Dietz
Associate Professor of Business Administration
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