A flier distributed by The Tribune to incoming Iowa State students prompted several letters to the editor from ISU employees and a statement of regret by Michael Gartner, editor of The Tribune.

The article in question, which was part of “Cyclone Primer,” a hand-out for freshmen and transfer students, is titled “Don’t get caught: A guide to staying out of jail and the courtroom while at ISU.”

The author of the article, The Tribune reporter Michael McNarney, was not available for comment.

John McCarroll, director of university relations, was one of the university officials who wrote a letter to the editor regarding the “Don’t Get Caught” article. McCarroll said the administration saw the article as “almost a point-by-point guide on how to drink and how to get away with it.”

“Of course, that runs contrary to what the university [promotes],” McCarroll said, noting that many colleges and universities struggle to deal with the problems incurred by alcohol abuse. McCarroll said the article was the wrong message to be conveying to brand new students.

Dave Haden, a substance abuse worker for ISU’s Substance Abuse Prevention Program, also wrote a letter to the editor. In his letter, which was published in The Tribune on Tuesday, Haden wrote that he was disappointed by “Don’t Get Caught.”

“At a time when our university and our country’s attentions are focused on how to stop the mounting deaths, personal injury and destruction which are happening as a result of excess student drinking, it is unconscionable that you would print this article,” Haden wrote.

Gartner told the Daily that he understood why McCarroll, Haden and other ISU employees were dismayed by the flier.

“I wish we hadn’t done it, but when you do something wrong, you admit it was wrong and move on,” Gartner said.

McCarroll said he has not received any complaints about the Primer article from ISU parents or students, but he said he talked with ISU faculty and staff, many of whom were surprised and disappointed by the article.

McCarroll said that overall, the Primer offered valuable information to incoming students. He also said The Tribune is usually clear about discouraging under-age drinking.

He said the final “tip” in “Don’t Get Caught” was a good one — it read: “A Final Note: The best and easiest way to stay out of trouble, out of jail and out of court? Obey the law.”

McCarroll also said Gartner, who published an editor’s note Saturday which stated “Don’t Get Caught” was an error, called him after receiving his letter. McCarroll said he understands that “mistakes happen in newspapers.”

“I certainly accept the apologies,” he said. “I think we should move on now. The alcohol issue is an ongoing one.”