Debate on society with questionable motives
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Editorials
With all the controversy with the recent letters sent out to parents regarding the National Society of Leadership and Success, it's a wonder whether or not everyone at Denison wishes us to be individuals.
Recently, many students have criticized a fellow Denison student involved in bring this organization to campus.
The recent letters sent out to Denison students' parents publicizing the National Society of Leadership and Success' charter at Denison ignited controversy on campus the past couple weeks for several reasons.
Some students are upset that the letters were sent out on Denison stationary, deceiving the recipients as to who was sending the letter. In addition, some felt deceived that upon application for the national honorary, there was a $75 fee required to join the group.
An additional question the organization sparks is what the value is in joining honoraries. Several academic programs on campus have honorary societies for their students.
One benefit in joining Sigma Alpha Pi is that you have an organization that is willing to write recommendation letters on your behalf as you apply for jobs and internships. As nice as this sounds, isn't there some sort of credibility that diminishes when the source is a national organization?
It's too bad how this debate has played out on campus over the last couple weeks. In The Bullsheet, many of the arguments were punches to a specific student. The debate developed into personal attacks instead of constructive criticism.
It's valuble to discuss and debate issues to bring up different points, but it becomes ineffective when those debates go off topic.
The next time a controversy hits campus, we can only hope that our fellow Denison students will remain respectful and courteous when bringing up important topics that can potentially affect all of us.
Recently, many students have criticized a fellow Denison student involved in bring this organization to campus.
The recent letters sent out to Denison students' parents publicizing the National Society of Leadership and Success' charter at Denison ignited controversy on campus the past couple weeks for several reasons.
Some students are upset that the letters were sent out on Denison stationary, deceiving the recipients as to who was sending the letter. In addition, some felt deceived that upon application for the national honorary, there was a $75 fee required to join the group.
An additional question the organization sparks is what the value is in joining honoraries. Several academic programs on campus have honorary societies for their students.
One benefit in joining Sigma Alpha Pi is that you have an organization that is willing to write recommendation letters on your behalf as you apply for jobs and internships. As nice as this sounds, isn't there some sort of credibility that diminishes when the source is a national organization?
It's too bad how this debate has played out on campus over the last couple weeks. In The Bullsheet, many of the arguments were punches to a specific student. The debate developed into personal attacks instead of constructive criticism.
It's valuble to discuss and debate issues to bring up different points, but it becomes ineffective when those debates go off topic.
The next time a controversy hits campus, we can only hope that our fellow Denison students will remain respectful and courteous when bringing up important topics that can potentially affect all of us.
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