June, 2006 - Commissioner's Casebook
(O.C. Art 1, Sec 3, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3)
There was some concern the comments posted on a college’s web site contravened one or more provisions of the Operating Code. The posting in question was displayed in the week leading up to the women’s soccer team’s final weekend of play. The article was entitled “Bittersweet Victory for Women’s Soccer”. The story expressed disappointment with the fact the team’s final two games would have no bearing on the final standings and in doing so seemed to express thinly veiled displeasure with the cross-over format of play adopted this season for the final weekend of play.
RULING:
Although the commissioner does not endorse the approach taken by the college in publishing the story in question he is unable to find that there is an obvious contravention of the items mentioned above. There are certainly comments in the article that are less than dignified but the result is really to cast a negative light on the author and the college itself for publishing the story. The ACAC commissioner find there is essentially no damage to the rest of the Conference and is not prepared to impose any sanctions pursuant to the Code.
(2005-06, Phipps) |