The Hawk apologizes for Squawk content

To the student body, faculty, administrators, and entire Saint Joseph's University community:

I, as Editor in Chief of The Hawk Newspaper, would like to apologize for the inappropriateness of last week's Squawk and the offense taken as a result of it. Although I was not directly involved in the writing or compiling of The Squawk, I take full responsibility for it. As Editor in Chief of The Hawk, it was my duty to oversee The Squawk's production and approve its content. I personally examined each page, article, and ad of The Squawk, and despite some of my own reservations, allowed questionably inappropriate material to be printed. For that I am deeply sorry. A tradition at Saint Joseph's for many years, The Squawk has offered graduating seniors who have been involved with The Hawk a chance to produce an April Fool's edition of nonsensical fun. Although I reviewed the content of The Squawk, much of it was kept secret from many members of The Hawk staff as well as from our advisor, Dr. Jenny Spinner. That was traditionally part of the fun, but in the end, the writings of a few implicated many innocent people associated with the newspaper. I grossly underestimated the personal and hurtful consequences that such nonsense could incur. Those of us who produce The Hawk hold it to certain ethical standards, and The Squawk, despite being parody, should also be held to those standards, a fact I did not comprehend until now. Parody does not sanction disrespect, and last week's Squawk was disrespectful to many. Regardless of its intent, The Squawk offended. It offended people directly; it offended their va lues and their religious sensibilities. The Hawk Newspaper is the student newspaper of Saint Joseph's University. It is managed by students who are receiving the education and learning the values that this University attempts to instill. We are educated and live in an environment of openness and, above all, respect. The Hawk embraces those values, and so, by extension, should The Squawk. Although some of the material that appeared in The Squawk was undeniably disrespectful, no disrespect or malice was intended. I apologize to all those who felt personally attacked or misrepresented or were at the expense of a joke. I also apologize for being na've in my understanding of the accountability of The Squawk and the line that must be drawn concerning the appropriateness of The Squawk's content. I wholly regret that I did not ensure that such a line was drawn and that I allowed certain material to be printed. I ask only that the offensive content of The Squawk and my approval of it not be seen as a reflection of the integrity or values of The Hawk staff or the legitimacy of The Hawk as a campus news source. The Hawk, as well as its staff, strives for truth, fairness, and respect. The Squawk did not reflect that integrity. I take full responsibility for my mistake and, once more, whole-heartedly apologize for it.

Sincerely, David Spain, Editor in Chief of The Hawk Newspaper

To the Students, Faculty, Administration and larger St. Joe's Community:

As the individuals responsible for developing, writing, and printing the content of The Squawk, we would like to apologize for any hurt, embarrassment, or offense caused by the articles in last week's publication. No personal malice was intended against any persons or organizations. We would also like to apologize to the current writers and staff of The Hawk, whose hard work has been overshadowed by the negative attention drawn by last week's edition. We would like to apologize to all persons whom we have misrepresented in using their name or position without permission. Not all readers may take The Squawk's content in jest, and it would upset us if anyone were to think that our statements reflected poorly on you in any way. The Squawk is a yearly April Fool's edition written and produced by departing seniors on The Hawk staff. It is traditionally meant as harmless fun, but we have abused the tradition. We regret our lapse in judgment.

Sincerely, Vincent Jackson, Sam Narisi, Kevin Phillips