By Lisa DiCarlucci, Entertainment Editor
Stacks of The Hofstra Chonicle went missing last Thursday night, quickly after their distribution. The newspapers, which are put on both the academic and residential sides of campus, were seen missing from the newsstand in the Student Center and in the garbage bins of Estabrook and Vander Poel residence halls.
The issue in question was considered by many to be controversial because of an article teased as “SGA Racism” on the front page. The article concerned SGA vice presidential candidate Luke Meidriech wearing blackface to a Halloween SGA meeting. On Saturday, Meidriech sent an email to members of his campaign and fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. The email expressed concern with The Chronicle’s coverage and spoke negatively about members of The Chronicle’s staff. The email has been published on The Chronicle’s website.
Journalism professor Daniel van Benthuysen heard students on Thursday planning to remove the issues of The Chronicle from newsstands, however it was not confirmed whether these students were affiliated with the Wells/Meidriech campaign.
“As I entered the student center on Thursday afternoon, coming up to talk to [The Chronicle staff] about the most recent issue, Van Benthuysen said, “I heard one student basically telling one of his friends ‘and if you see any more issues of The Chronicle in a building then throw those in the trash too.” Van Benthuysen did not recall the name of the building the student said.
Senior Kris Ortiz saw copies of The Chronicle in the garbage of Vander Poel hall. “There was a pile in the garbage can so I took them out and put them back,” Ortiz said. “I went up to my room and when I came back downstairs they were in the garbage again. I put them back again and that was the last I saw of them.”
When asked about the missing newspapers, Miedriech said, “I had nothing to do with any of it.” Miedriech continued to say that once he heard about the rumors that his campaign was being accused of throwing out the Chronicles, he emailed and texted his campaign, telling them not to participate.
When asked where he heard about accounts of Chronicle issues being thrown away, Meidriech said, “I am honestly not comfortable saying where I heard these [accounts] from.”
Miedrich’s running mate, Jimmy Wells, said that he was not involved with the disposal of the Chronicles. Wells also said that while he has heard accusations about the event, he has not received any official reports. “I haven’t heard any accusations about it from officials, public safety, administration.” Wells said.
Wells/Miedriech campaign manager, Victoria Vullo, said that members of the campaign and Phi Delta Theta, Wells and Miedrich’s fraternity, were not involved with the missing Chronicles. “I’m the campaign manager so I would have heard about that,” Vullo said.
When asked about the “SGA Racism” article, Vullo said, “I understood it [the article] had to be run, but the headline made it look like all of SGA was racist.” Vullo continued to say “The headline put a label on the entire organization when it was just Luke dressed up as Akeem.”
Gregg Albaum, a founding member of Phi Delta Theta, whom have been avidly involved in the Wells/Miedrich campaign said, “Honestly, it’s a totally separate issue [the Chronicles disappearing].” Albaum refused to comment further on the matter.
While it remains unclear who is responsible for the Chronicles being thrown out, what is clear is that it was an act of censorship. The Chronicle stands by what was printed in the April 15 issue.
“All students are in control of their own actions,” Wells said, “What they do with literature or information put on display at Hofstra is their choice.”
In regards to the issue of censorship, Mieriech said, “You know, every media outlet has, you know, the first amendment right to speak…I guess it could be censorship, but again, I have no idea.”
Issues of The Chronicle were removed from newsstands in the Student Center and residence halls and found in nearby garbage cans on Thursday, April15. Copies of the paper were soon replenished to all newsstands and residence halls. (David Gordon/The Chronicle)
