Staff Editorial
The digital age has fostered the rise of a new form of currency. Information is power, and all students deserve to have reasonable access to information. When the gatekeepers of that information are not forthcoming, they are denying a fundamental right to students and others who have a right to said information.
Repeated attempts by members of The Runner Staff to acquire information have been met with delayed responses or outright shifting of responsibility. Attempts from reporters to contact members of Campus Police were routed directly to David Melendez, Vice President of University Advancement. While Melendez is a representative for public affairs, the pertinent information rested with Campus Police and should have been provided forthwith. Basic information like what campus policy is regarding riding bikes around campus should not have to go through a public affairs official. A simple question can be answered quickly, and instead is wrapped in bureaucratic tape.
Administrative run-around is a disservice to all students, not merely those concerned with the news. If the people who are responsible for disseminating relevant information are stymied, all students are being denied access to important campus issues, breaking news, and general knowledge.
By limiting access to information, the administration is creating apathetic and uninformed university students. The more students are aware of what is happening on campus, the more they will care about the school. If the administration wants a more involved student body, disservices like limiting access to information must stop.
The power balance that is being created, make no mistake even small information is power, is setting a precedent for the future of this university. If administrative foot-dragging and obfuscation is shafting a student newspaper, an objective voice for students, what type of barriers will regular students encounter when they have question for and about their school.
Simple requests for information need to be quickly facilitated by the relevant source, not scrutinized by public affairs for some unforeseen slip-up or less liable wording.
The flow of information dictates power, and currently the administration controls and filters that power. Students should play a part in that power balance, and not be relegated to what public affairs choose to release.
