I am writing on behalf of Sen. Katie Waldman.
I have carefully read the various articles appearing in the Alligator, including those authored by the Editorial Board and by reporters such as Clare Lennon and Samantha Shavell. The articles are biased and portray Waldman unfairly. In this regard, it is noteworthy that the March 12 article by your “Guest Columnist,” Jason Tiemeier, only mentioned that Waldman was walking with him “around campus.” At no time did Tiemeier state that Waldman was in any way involved with his misconduct, directly or indirectly. Indeed, Tiemeier said that “I let my sense of competition get in the way of integrity . . .”
Conspicuously absent was any implication that Waldman engaged in misconduct or even contemporaneously knew of Tiemeier’s actions.
Waldman’s only public commentary in respect to this matter was that, upon Tiemeier advising her of his actions, she promptly counseled him not to do so again. Nevertheless, the Alligator’s repeated and public attacks upon Waldman are unnecessarily inflammatory and accusatory. Further, Waldman has devoted substantial hours to worthy student causes in her capacity as a senator, including expanded library hours and security.
It has not gone unnoticed that the Alligator’s Editorial Board supported the minority party in the student elections last month. Moreover, we are aware that the Alligator’s Editorial Board was publicly displeased with the Unite Party’s public campaign (including social networking sites) to balance the negative publicity heaped upon it by the Alligator.
It should also be noted that our Student Government, under which the Unite Party has been in majority control by the will, and vote, of the student population for more than four years, has collaboratively decided to substantially reduce the amount of funding for advertisements in the Alligator and, instead, utilizing those savings for purposes more beneficial to the Student Body. We understand that these actions by the Unite Party have frustrated the Alligator, thereby explaining its own behavior with regard to the Unite Party and Waldman.
For these reasons, the Alligator’s Editorial Board and reporters have unprofessionally lashed out at the Unite Party in general and Waldman in particular. Under the circumstances, the Alligator should now apologize to Waldman based upon her manifest innocence in this matter.
Brittney Austin
Former senator
