The fallout from the “He Said/She Said” article on the topic of the “walk of shame” has caused “He Said” author Chris Surette to receive “harassment complaints” submitted to Public Safety.
Director of Publc Safety Todd A. Pelazza confirmed that complaints had been filed and offered a statement on the matter. “The issue has opened a very important dialogue, and it is exploring issues of free speech versus what some may deem offensive behavior.”
The complaints against Surette have been sent to the Dean’s office for final adjudication. The controversy has caused Surette to receive countless interview requests from much larger publications such as the Connecticut Post. Surette declined comment on the issue.
A freshman female, who wished to remain anonymous, commented on the Fairfield community’s outrage.
“People who have a problem with the article should not have taken it as so cut-and-dry and should have seen it as a situation that could be avoided,” she said.
In regards to Surette and the alleged charges, she said, “I feel bad for the guy, I felt it was blown out of proportion.”
A senior female commenting on Surette and his punishment stated similar feelings, saying, “I don’t think it should have been taken that far, but he needs to know that what he said was unacceptable.”
Sophomore Nicole Fogliano ’12 said of The Mirror’s involvement, “I think they are partially responsible because the language used got past three editors.”
The Mirror has also received pressure from the student body and its government. As the controversy has unfolded over the past few weeks, the Fairfield community faces a discussion on both freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
The same day that the controversial “He Said/She Said” article on “The Walk of Shame” was released, a crowd of protestors flooded the Mirror office. According to Pelazza, the protest was conducted in an orderly manner without incident.
On Oct. 6, an anonymous group developed a flyer titled “The Broken Mirror.” By the time The Mirror’s new issue was ready to be picked up by students on the Oct. 7, there were stacks of “The Broken Mirror” accompanying copies of the school’s publication. “The Broken Mirror” contained several articles that addressed the strong sentiments that some students felt against the “He Said/She Said” segment.
The anonymous response flyer reached Fairfield students on a day when The Mirror was rife with apologies and coverage of the students’ disapproval over the “He Said/She Said” column. The week pressed on as the controversy reached the desk of University President Fr. Jeffery Von Arx. Von Arx sent out a mass e-mail to the student body on Thursday, Oct. 8. Von Arx offered some words that sum up the issue facing the community, as well as addressing the idea of free speech.
“As a University, Fairfield will always support the free exchange of ideas. A willingness to accept and encourage the unfettered flow of opinions, ideas, and modes of expression is, and should be, a hallmark of a Jesuit education,” he said in the e-mail.
“This is our disposition because we believe that what is true and good will inevitably be revealed when there is an open exchange of views, provided that all the parties involved are committed to certain fundamental values — and those include a commitment to uphold and defend the dignity of the human person,” continued his statement.
The “He Said/She Said” column has caused quite an outcry from the student body. However, who is to blame? Does Surette deserve disciplinary action? “The Broken Mirror” has placed the blame on the University’s newspaper. There have been attempts made to curb The Mirror’s subscription and censorship, including the call for the dismissal of the “He Said” column, which has presented a caricature of college life over the years.
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