Queen's University Cuts Student Media Coverage

((HT: Queens University Journal/Peter Mueller))

Being a former member of the student media, the HQ remembers what it's like to be buzzing all over campus covering every revenue and non-revenue sport for whatever form of media was available at the time when we were in school.

Softball and women's basketball were just as important as volleyball, football and baseball and we covered the crap out of it. Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada now can't do that to the tune of 87.5-percent of its past effectiveness because of a past aticle written by students.

Like rowing at Queen's for example- one of the star athletics programs on campus...


Eight credentials have now been cut to one because of an article that wasn't wrong, it just made the administration look bad.

Here's the crux of the argument from student Editor-in-Chief Nick Faris:

We were told that this decision stems from a story we published on March 28, detailing how the result of Queen’s varsity team of the year vote changed after Athletics retroactively struck a new voting panel.

On March 29, I received a letter from Jeff Downie, associate director at Athletics, in which he wrote, “We will be reevaluating our relationship, and the privileged access we provide the Journal moving forward.”

It's kind of the same thing that happened when FIU pitched a hissy-fit and tried to deny the Miami Herald's beat reporter from doing the newspaper's work last week.

The Herald had decided not to cover the program after said hissy-fit but, two days ago, recanted their decision and is allowing David Neal to do his job.

From Michelle Kaufman at the Herald:

Neal’s access to FIU coaches and athletes had been reduced for months. He was not allowed to attend football practice or conduct interviews.

FIU issued a statement last week explaining its decision to deny Neal’s credential: “We did not issue a media credential to the Herald’s beat reporter because of concerns we have brought up to the Herald’s reporter and editors over the past few years about the reporter’s interactions with our student athletes, coaches and staff, and the nature of the resulting coverage."

The Herald examined Neal’s coverage and found it to be fair and professional.

But what does this move by Queen's say about universities and their want to control information...???

About what it says these days... those who have the power want to control the information...
And, sadly college student, that won't change any time soon...

Canadian University Suspends Baseball Team For Hazing

((HT: Sportsnet 590 The Fan))

Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario has suspended its varsity baseball team for a minimum of four games for hazing- a violation of the Student Athlete Code of Conduct.

The university says the hazing violated the school's student-athlete code of conduct. The Golden Hawks baseball team is 4-4 this season with 12 games remaining. There is a chance the ban could be extended to the whole season, but school officials said they wanted to first give the team a chance to make their case for playing out the remaining games of their season.

The school is asking for a "meaningful rationale" as to why they should finish the year.

 In a release sent out by the University their ownselves, campus big-wigs were less than happy...  

"Our Student Athlete Code of Conduct makes it clear that Laurier will not tolerate any form of hazing among our varsity athletes," said David McMurray, vice-president of Student Affairs. "While a full-season suspension is justifiable based on an investigation of the incident, we believe it is important to offer these student athletes the opportunity to engage in a more meaningful learning opportunity that, in addition to tangible consequences, encourages reflection and accountability." 

"If teams defy the university's zero-tolerance policy on hazing, then they will be denied the privilege to play for the Golden Hawks," said Peter Baxter, Laurier's director of Athletics and Recreation. "It is a tough lesson that must be learned but a necessary one so that we ensure the culture of hazing is eradicated."

Here's highlights of some of their season to date... ((HT: LaurierAthletics))

Which may be the end of their season...
Jus' sayin'