Journalism School Dean Asked to Name His Sources
February 14, 2008
A student newspaper columnist at Northwestern wonders if the Dean of the University's Medill School of Journalism fabricated anonymous quotations from students.They appeared in letters the Dean wrote for Medill's alumni magazine. Chicago Public Radio's Diantha Parker reports.
Dean John Lavine didn't name the students he quoted praising a class that taught “a fully-integrated marketing program.” That's part of a new curriculum Lavine has championed, against opposition from students, faculty and alumni. Senior David Spett says the glowing sentiments and corny language, like: “I sure felt good about this class”—seemed off to him. But mainly, Spett says, Medill teaches students that anonymous sources are a last resort.
SPETT: If I were to turn a paper or a column in like that to any Medill instructor I would surely fail or be told to redo the assignment.
Spett adds all 29 students in the class denied saying any of what Lavine quoted. Lavine told Spett the quotes are real, and that he was writing opinion pieces, not news stories. In a letter to faculty today, Lavine commended Spett, saying the column “illustrates our teaching and commitment to our students doing enterprise journalism.”
I'm Diantha Parker, Chicago Public Radio.
Dean John Lavine didn't name the students he quoted praising a class that taught “a fully-integrated marketing program.” That's part of a new curriculum Lavine has championed, against opposition from students, faculty and alumni. Senior David Spett says the glowing sentiments and corny language, like: “I sure felt good about this class”—seemed off to him. But mainly, Spett says, Medill teaches students that anonymous sources are a last resort.
SPETT: If I were to turn a paper or a column in like that to any Medill instructor I would surely fail or be told to redo the assignment.
Spett adds all 29 students in the class denied saying any of what Lavine quoted. Lavine told Spett the quotes are real, and that he was writing opinion pieces, not news stories. In a letter to faculty today, Lavine commended Spett, saying the column “illustrates our teaching and commitment to our students doing enterprise journalism.”
I'm Diantha Parker, Chicago Public Radio.
