Dear Editors:

This letter is to correct some significant inaccuracies in the “University takes no action on basketbrawl” article that appeared on the March 1st edition of The Horizon. Contrary to what the article indicates, I never said, “there will be no disciplinary actions taken against the six players.” In fact, the writer, Derrick Holdridge, began our interview by stating that he knows I cannot discuss student discipline.

I confirmed his comment, stating that I cannot discuss academic or person misconduct by any student and adding that the students’ privacy rights are protected by FERPA.

I also stated that all students, including student-athletes, are held to the same standards set forth in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct.

The reporter asked what I thought of the video that was on YouTube.

The article indicates I said, “there would be no further punishment by the university based on the footage.”

What is missing is my explanation that the 13-second video I saw is but a brief snippet and does not offer the full context or action that occurred on the court.

I also shared that I did not know what the KIAC Commissioner had at his disposal when making his decision, and that our athletic director and men’s basketball coach had suspended two players in addition to the six suspended by the KIAC Commissioner.

As the article states, those two players were suspended for leaving the bench, not for fighting.

The headline, “University takes no action on basketbrawl,” is, therefore, both false and misleading.

I fully understand that a reporter selects elements of an interview for the printed article.

As printed, however, the headline and some statements in the article provide an inaccurate summary of the interview regarding the basketball incident.

Ruth Garvey-Nix

vice chancellor of Student Affairs