Question for you NDSU Students out there, PLEASE GIVE FEEDBACK!

What's your take on the whole issue involving the Spectrum and their "sex column" that has created such a big stir in the area (heck, it made the front page of the Forum today). Is it good, bad, can/should it be censored, does it create a bad image of NDSU to outsiders, what do you think?

I'm sitting in a very unique and contentious situation. I'm in Student Government, serving as the Finance Commissioner, so I've been getting bombarded with questions such has "Why are students required to fund the newspaper if it's gonna print garbage like this?" And my favorite from some of our leadership in Student Government, "How can we reduce the Spectrum's funding?" (It's more complicated than you'd think, but anyways...) So yeah, I want some insight, because I don't want to see the Spectrum staff crucified for invoking freedom of the press. Sorry, a lot of my job entails keeping my opinions to myself, so maybe I'm just venting here. Still, let me know what your thoughts are on this.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

the dakota_democrat

I'm a UND student so you may not care what I have to say, but I've looked into the situation a bit.

I read the column. It's definitely a culture shock for North Dakota but I say it's time to get over it. This is the 21st Century and our state is not going to accomplish anything by maintaining an atmosphere of taboos and censorship.

Another thing to recognize is that NDSU is supposed to be a University. It's not 16th grade. It's not the responsibilty of the University administration to "protect the children". You're dealing with adults here. They all need to get over themselves.

My sister's gonna graduate from there in December....thanks for your input! I got another question to expand on this, but it's the same as in my other reply, so just scroll down and take a look.

Thanks!

the dakota_democrat

The Spectrum is a completely independent student newspaper from the administration of North Dakota State University. Therefore, it is up to The Spectrum, and ONLY The Spectrum to deal with the situation if they see fit. The administration of NDSU nor other outside forces must NOT interfere.

And as for if I think it's appropriate: I think if there was some humour thrown in, it would be a blast. But I feel kind of uncomfortable with it. I'm friends with Joel Schermer, former Spectrum editor, but I haven't asked his opinion. The reason I'm kind of uncomfortable with it is because of my seeming inability to interact with females, the fact that I'm a 22 year-old virgin, and the fact that I feel envious of other people my age or younger than me who are having sex when I'm socially inept with females.

If I was able to socialise with girls, I would no doubt have a different opinion. My reasons are not based on politics or religion.

writing of this type? That's my concern (because it's my job to worry about, I guess). Personally, I don't like them, but I think the constitution of the US is a little higher up the chain than I am, so I'll deal with it.

Thanks for the input,

the dakota_democrat

P.S. No offense, but Schirmer is kind of on my 'bad' list, he wrote some slanderous BS about me last year when I was a student Senator.

...right? Just to keep track of it, I assume. As a whole, Student Government might technically have the ability to cut funding for the Spectrum, but that is overkill.

People bitch about their student fees buying new computers for a department they never intend to visit. These are the same people who would opt out of police protection if they wouldn't have to pay taxes. In essence, conservatives. Wild ones at that, and you can rest easy knowing you're putting two conservative arguments out of their misery at the same time.

This issue has now made:

The Fargo Forum (Wednesday)
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune (Thursday)
The Milwaukee Nightly News (Wednesday night - that's right, we've gotten TV coverage in Wisconsin!)

The media could report on everything that Bush/Cheney are doing immorally/illegally, but they're focusing on a COLLEGE NEWSPAPER OPINION ARTICLE!!! How sad.

Thanks for the continued response!

the dakota_democrat

I mean, is it raunchy or is it like an "Ask Ann Landers" column about sex? Is the spectrum online? I'll go look at the Forum page to see if I can find the article about it in there. :)

This is the 2nd article that's come into controversy (sorry, I can't find the first one):

http://www.ndsuspectrum.com/opinion/o-0831-medicine.htm

And here's the Forum article from Wednesday:

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=68579&sec...

Hope this helps!

the dakota_democrat

She should be driven out of town just for the fact that she's advocating that people should use a condom whenever they get a BJ!!!

heh, just kidding you man.

yep, condoms are gross. stds are grosser.

I was disappointed in her list of "tips". If not biting and cupping the balls is all she could come up with, then maybe she's not as much of an expert as she claims. :shrug: