Student paper apologizes for controversial frosh issue
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LONDON, Ont. — Western University's student newspaper is yanking its Frosh issue from newsstands after an outcry over articles about drinking, drug use and sexual advances on teaching assistants.
The Gazette apologized Wednesday for the issue that came out last week and drew the ire of the school's graduate student society, women's advocates and university administrators.
"The Gazette displayed a lack of judgment regarding issues we have reported on seriously in the past," the newspaper's editorial board wrote in a statement.
"We regret this mistake, and we look forward to reporting on these issues in a more serious manner in the future."
The newspaper is removing 3,000 copies from campus and the selected articles from its website. It will not distribute the remaining 11,000 copies of the Frosh issue during the university's orientation week for new students.
The articles include an orientation week drinking game — on a campus where orientation week is supposed to be alcohol-free — as well as a detailing of different drugs students will encounter at Western.
But an article called “So you want to date a teaching assistant” drew the most scorn, especially from graduate students who work as teaching assistants and Megan Walker, executive director of the London Abused Women's Centre.
The article included tips on how to seduce a TA, including the suggestion to “Facebook stalk” them.
Kevin Godbout, president of Western's Society of Graduate Students, said the apology comes too late.
"They needed to do this about a week ago the instant this became problematic."
Godbout said the writer and the Gazette editor should take harassment training to understand why the Frosh edition harmed the work.
kate.dubinski@sunmedia.ca