10/07/2009

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FREE | Take one Week of Oct. 7, 2009 | Vol. 35, Iss. 6

The

Mirror

fairfieldmirror.com

The Independent Student Newspaper of Fairfield University The Reflection of Fairfield

Is ‘He Said/She Said’ a Column of Shame?

Communication Opens Between Editorial Board and ‘He Said’ Protesters

By Meagan Flynn Staff Writer The student body has been buzzing over the controversy spurred by last week's “He Said” article. Protestors and editors met on Monday evening in an attempt to better understand the role that The Mirror plays at Fairfield.

The article, written by Chris Surette '10, inspired a protest outside of The Mirror office that was attended by several members of the University community. Certain language to describe the topic of “the walk of shame” was deemed inappropriate by those in attendance. Leaders of the protest were invited to attend an Editorial Board meeting and present their concerns and requests formally to the Editorial staff. Sarah Gatti '10 spoke on behalf of the organizers of the protest. Representing The Mirror were Tom Cleary '10, Editor in Chief; Lily Norton '10, Executive Editor; Chris Simmons '10, Managing Editor; and Veronica Florentino '10, Opinion Editor. Students and faculty were also invited to attend the meeting and were able to comment after the formal

discussion, which was facilitated by Joe Defeo, director of Living and Learning. Both parties involved expressed a desire to find common ground and to move The Mirror forward in a positive direction. A decision was made not to include Photos by Peter Caty/The Mirror a stage or microphone so as to Above, Shawne Lomauro ‘11 joins in the discussion with The keep the meeting in a traditional Mirror’s editorial board. Photos to the left show students Editorial Board meeting format. looking on. Gatti began by explaining how the protest initially began and how it escalated. She then pinpointed the overall concern of the group, saying, “This space in our student newspaper is condoning and glorifying activity that is counter-intuitive to the student body and really harmful and painful to people who have been involved.” Suggestions for By Dan Leitao how the group feels Staff Writer The Mirror should “re-frame” the Those upset with last week’s "He Said/She Said" space of the column column took their opinions further than a protest were also offered outside of the Mirror office by attending the FUSA by Gatti on behalf Senate meeting on Sunday night. By participating of the protesters. in the public input section of the Senate meeting, in These suggestions which any student or group of students can speak to included creating the Senate members about their concerns or ideas, accountability for those upset with the column volunteered their opinthe writers involved, ions on the subject. so the column no Senate Chair Frank Fioretti '10, who spoke on longer presents the behalf of the Senate, said that the protestors were not vague, stereotypical personally invited to the meeting. "They came on their characters of “He own free will because they're passionate about the issue Said” and “She Said.” — they decided to speak to the Senate about what could She also suggested be done." In no way, he said, were they invited and that The Mirror enthose involved with the “He Said” column shunned. "It would not have been fair for me to invite one

Senate Responds to ‘He Said’ Controversy with Certain Resolutions

Ed Board | page 6

Public Safety Releases Jeanne Clery Report

Perlitz Trial Moving Forward By Chris Simmons Managing Editor

Three weeks after being indicted by a Bridgeport grand jury on seven counts of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and three counts of illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country, Douglas Perlitz ’92 will stand trial. According to the U.S. District Attorney’s office, Perlitz will be arraigned on the charges on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven. Thomas Carson, the spokesman from the U.S. attorney’s office, would only confirm this information and that Perlitz will have new counsel when he gets to Connecticut. He would not comment on whether the University had been notified beforehand or if any other parties have been investigated. The Connecticut Post reported last week that Perlitz will be housed in Central Falls,

Index Opinion • Page 7 Features • Page 11 Arts & Entertainment • Page 13 Sports • Page 24

Senate | page 6 R.I. and that the district attorney’s office will ask Perlitz not to be released on bond. According to the criminal docket for Perlitz’s case, he does not have counsel listed yet. Three U.S. district attorneys will be representing the United States in the case. The case has been assigned to Judge Janet Bond Arterton. Recap of indictment (selected points): 11. Between 2002 and 2008, slightly over $2 million was transferred from the Haiti Fund to an account that Perlitz controlled. 14. In order to persuade the children to comply with sex acts, Perlitz provided the promise of food and shelter and provided monetary and other benefits, including currency, cell phones and other electronics, shoes, clothing, and other items. 19. If minors refused to engage in sex acts, Perlitz would at times withhold benefits or threaten to expel them from the program. 31. After allegations of long-term sexual abuse by Perlitz surfaced, Perlitz used his relationship with a religious leader and influential Board Members to continue to conceal and attempt to conceal his illegal sexual conduct.

Inside This Week The Mirror Redefined: Check out what has changed with the paper. See page 2.

The Mirror

Editorial: Boundaries The Mirror’s reaction to the He Said Controversy. See page 9.

We’re taking a break! The Mirror will be off for Columbus Day and will return in two weeks on Oct. 21.


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