Medill Dean Apologizes for 'Poor Judgment'

by John C Abell

Embattled Medill Dean John Lavine has apologized to faculty and students for "exercising poor judgment" but says he did not make up the anonymous quotes in an incident which has brought criticism from his colleagues and unwelcome press scrutiny.

In a letter released late last night and posted on Romanesko, Lavine says he should have used the student's name to set an example about transparency. But he also said that there was no longer any record of the email which contained the quote.

"I have been in journalism for more than 40 years as a reporter, editor, publisher and educator. I do not make up quotes.

"But I did exercise poor judgment, and I apologize for that. I used a quote from a student in a letter I wrote in the Spring 2007 issue of Medill without naming the student. I should have asked permission to use the student's name with their comment ..."

Although our alumni magazine has run unattributed direct and indirect quotes before, as your dean I must ensure that the magazine, as one of the many public faces of the School, should operate with the highest possible standards.

Medill faculty teach our students that journalism should be transparent. It is a mistake when I don't set the best example I can. Just as our faculty set high classroom standards for students learning to be journalists, as dean I should exhibit those standards.

Given that the matter was now in the hands of the University provist, Lavine said he would have nothing more to say about the matter until that review is complete.

Letter in full here.