College Officials, Faculty Respond to Commentary

Concerning the Dec. 7 issue of the Saddleback College Lariat, which contains religious and ethnic slurs in an opinion article dealing with nuclear policy, The Times has not adequately reported my position (Dec. 13). Newspapers, including student newspapers, are written by human beings, and they sometimes err. My remarks to your reporter concerned the necessity of maintaining educational standards in the field of student journalism.

In my judgment, these standards were violated in the Lariat of Dec. 7.

People have a right to be themselves and to maintain religious beliefs and traditions without fear of public humiliation in a newspaper.

Lariat adviser Carol Ziehm is right in saying the matter is a free-speech issue. I agree, and add that we will not achieve a free society if we are willing to tolerate slurs on diversity. As a responsible educator, I intend to stand up for the rights of Jews, Arabs, Muslims, Catholics, Protestants and all others in our society to have their traditions safeguarded and respected. I consider that part of responsible journalism--part of free speech. If our educational programs are departing from that norm, they need a review. This was the point of my comments to your reporter, not, as your editorial implies, that the newspaper might suffer a reduction in financial support as a result of publishing material many people in our community, myself included, have found deeply offensive.

Responsible free speech and a mature free press are so essential. Our colleges and universities--and our newspapers--need to teach and learn that lesson.

RICHARD SNEED

Chancellor, Saddleback Community College District