I would like to propose a course of action that, I hope, will resolve the current impasse at the Iowa State Daily and allow everyone (inside and outside the newsroom) to return to business as usual.

But first, in the interests of full disclosure, I need to say that I am a professor in the Greenlee School and, until Thursday, had been a member of the Daily Publications Board for about 6 years. I was also once an editor in chief of the Daily and am very pleased with the job Andrea Hauser has done with the Daily so far.

I also had a long discussion with Andrea 36 hours before she sacked Valerie Dennis, Sara Tennessen and Wendy Weiskircher for appearing in the Toons advertisement. I argued for something – almost anything – short of the guillotine.

Hauser listened, but decided on another course of action.

Now, on the assumption that public reactions are spinning out of control, may I offer my suggestion for putting the Daily back in its regular orbit?

First, I think Andrea is entitled to declare victory. She wanted, above all, to make clear to her staff and to the public that the Daily was striving for the highest degree of professionalism.

As a journalism teacher, I support her efforts. There are still mistakes committed at the Daily by students who don’t understand the harm inaccuracies or fabrication can inflict on sources and readers.

So give Hauser high marks for her genuine concern for professionalism and for accuracy.

But I also believe that the Daily is a learning experience. It is a stepping stone toward professionalism, rather than the capstone.

That means, to me, that the guillotine should be reserved for a second or even third serious, harmful error in accuracy or professional judgment. (If, in fact, this is not the first problem with any or all of these women, then I think Andrea has an obligation to make those facts known so the public can better judge her decision.)

Be that as it may, by consenting to Toons spoofery, Sara, Valerie and Wendy did something that many professional operations might consider a firing offense.

Hauser couldn’t just ignore that.

In my opinion, she could have solved her problems by putting the trio on notice and by imposing one of several lesser penalties. Even the mildest of sanctions has a ripple effect within the Daily and the Greenlee School.

Given the existing situation, it seems to me that a logical solution to the impasse would be something along these lines:

First, people need to acknowledge that Andrea Hauser, as editor in chief, has the responsibility to ensure that the Daily is as professional as humanly possible for students at this stage in their development.

People should also respect the fact she made a decision after listening to a variety of views from several persons who have experience in journalism.

Next, let us all agree that Hauser’s sacking of the three women in the Toons advertisement called attention to the need for professionalism. She has driven home the importance of professionalism to everyone working on the Daily – and beyond.

If Weiskircher, Dennis and Tennessen agree that professionalism is a cornerstone of the Daily and that they overstepped the bounds in the Toons ad, then why not reinstate them, with or without further reprimand?

For this to work, everyone will have to agree that there is no place at the Daily for villains or martyrs. There is only room for students who are dedicated to the highest standards of professionalism. This may not be a perfect solution, but I think it could cool the public debate and refocus attention on the excellent job the Daily has done this year under Hauser and her entire staff.

Bottom line, though, is the editor in chief is responsible for the newsroom. That’s Hauser’s job. It’s what she was hired to do and there is no way that she can escape this responsibility.

She did what she thought was right. She has also made her point. Let’s now move on.

Tom Emmerson

Professor

Greenlee School of Journalism & Communication