Concerning The Link ‘s Integrity

LettersClay Hemmerich — Published March 15, 2011

As the former Opinions Editor of The Link’s 2010–11 team, I’ve had to deal with a lot of bullshit.

First, it took me almost a full year to get a proper CUSACorp financial statement from former VP Finance Zhuo Ling, let alone an answer to my calls and emails. And when I printed false information that he fed to me on the record (see: ATMs Keep CUSACorp Afloat [Vol. 31, Iss. 06, Sep. 21]), we received some nasty mail comparing us to a newspaper in Communist China.

Then, there was the Faubourg. The YES campaign that they imposed on Council and 30, 000 students. The official NO campaign that didn’t exist because they didn’t tell anyone that the option was open. The plethora of cringe-worthy PR letters, written by executives, that I had to edit and endure. The alleged political espionage that The Link’s coverage on the matter created. All ridiculous.

And now this: a group of “anonymous” students knocking on The Link’s door with some ridiculous accusations about who’s doing who; one of their most active VPs, Morgan Pudwell, quits; a slew of serious accusations involving another one of their most active Council members, Lex Gill, and none of them have a comment.

But hey, it’s The Link’s fault for commenting on this, right? Screw that. I personally take offense to the fact that the integrity of the paper has been questioned so many times. I’ve had the privilege to work with the most talented and driven team I ever had in my life, who care so much about the paper and the truth—as absolute as it can get—to the point where basic human needs are neglected (e.g. malnourishment, hygiene, broken relationships, the works).

All in all, everyone’s just doing their job. Everyone needs to challenge everyone—that’s how we get better at our crafts. So when you’re front and center-stage, it doesn’t mean you can act like a deer in the headlights and run for cover. If you close the curtains, people are going to notice. And if this were real life, you’d probably get the cane.

—Clay Hemmerich,
Former Opinions Editor for The Link