Several requests for interviews by student reporters have been denied. We here at The Press have only asked to speak to Speck once since enforcement began and we were told he was not available. Other media have reported being unable to speak to Speck.
Why do we care here in Carthage?
Well, in the fall of 2009, more than 500 students from Carthage and eastern Jasper County attended Missouri Southern. Almost 50 of our friends and neighbors in Carthage and the area work at Missouri Southern.
These are tough times financially for everyone, including higher education and Missouri Southern. Cuts in programs and employees and increases in tuition and fees may be coming. Speck needs to be talking openly to the media and the public about how Missouri Southern intends to address these tough times.
Instead he’s quit talking to the public.
Hacker ends his column with this comment:
This new policy needs to go and we, the taxpayers and public, ask that the MSSU Board of Governors review this and tell Speck to stop hiding from the questions and answer them.
The newspapers and all other media outlets of this area need to have a united front and let Bruce Speck know this policy will not be tolerated.
Where is the outcry from the Globe?
ReplyDeleteGood for you, John Hacker!
ReplyDeleteIsn't there a regent from Cathage on the BoG? I wonder if he read the Carthage Press.
ReplyDeleteThere's been plenty in The Globe and it has been The Carthage Press that has done the sitting out until now. Good for them stepping up and hopefully the SW Missouri community will soon realize what a mistake has been made and endeavor to correct it as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteyes. there has been good coverage by the Globe, but still, where is the editorial outrage at Mssu's administration violation of the student press ( and freedom of the press) rights?
ReplyDeleteOr does the Globe have exclusive access to Bruce without having to go Surber?
This is one of the highest achievements of Hacker's illustrious career. When will others answer the call? Forget the Globe. The state's leading newspapers, if they still exist, need to report on the MSSU situation. The Kansas City Star wrote a glowing article at the height of Julio's tenure. Will it visit the depths of Bruce? When is the governor, attorney general, or auditor going to force changes?
ReplyDeleteActually Speck not speaking may be a good step for the university. He tends to talk with his toes in his mouth. Now if only the school actually had a mouthpiece ...
ReplyDelete