Dear Daily Cardinal staff,
Please consider this letter a response to the Graph Giraffe"" cartoon that appeared in the SOAR edition of The Daily Cardinal this summer. I initially spoke with the cartoonist via telephone at the beginning of the SOAR sessions. Subsequently I have also met with one of the editors. I have also forwarded many of the e-mail messages that have been directed to me or my office regarding the content of the cartoon. I sincerely appreciate your willingness to engage on this issue.
It is my belief that freedom of expression is an essential requirement for a healthy and vibrant academic community, even if it also brings controversy and disagreement. Individuals within our community are best positioned to reflect on information, opinions and experiences of others and validate or reject them in whatever public or personal manner they so choose. It is culmination of these empowered voices that ultimately affirms our shared values and continues to shape the university's direction.
Recognizing that the First Amendment and our shared belief in ""sifting and winnowing"" that guarantees the right to print cartoons such as these, I want you to know that this particular cartoon has had a significant and negative impact on the campus and the community. Over the past two months, my staff and I have heard from a variety of people including new and current students, parents, faculty and staff. Their overall sentiment is that the cartoon was malicious, distasteful and disrespectful.
From my perspective, SOAR offers a unique opportunity to connect with new students and their parents, demonstrating all that the UW has to offer as a diverse and inclusive environment. In this particular circumstance, The Daily Cardinal's action has not helped to foster a welcoming campus climate, nor does it represent the UW-Madison in a positive light.
In addition, I have heard from many students and parents who have assumed that this issue is being distributed to students via their SOAR orientation folders, and a product of the university. If possible, in the future, I would encourage you to make it clear that it is a summer edition of your newspaper, and not a publication of UW-Madison or the SOAR program. Consideration might also be given to offering your readers an opportunity to respond to your paper when most of the Cardinal staff are away from Madison for the summer.
I hope you will consider the impact this cartoon has had and will continue to have on our campus. I would also ask that you remain open to meeting with those who have been offended by this cartoon, and would reflect their opinions in your pages.
Sincerely,
Lori M. Berquam
Dean of Students
