2008 Woodie Awards
Some laud decision; others question timing, sincerity
news analysis
By: Chelsea Allison
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: News
Last update: 10/1/07 at 6:27 AM EST
Last update: 10/1/07 at 6:27 AM EST
"This conference was the logical place to give this kind of talk," Burness said. "The decision to do this was weeks-old at this point."
Law professor James Coleman said the nature of Brodhead's response did not indicate concern over a lawsuit.
"Given the unequivocal nature of his remarks, I don't think he was concerned with [a lawsuit]," he said. "I think he did the right thing, and the fact that he did the right thing in the face of a threatened lawsuit is [commendable]."
Burness said the presence of the Trustees, who were in Durham for the weekend, was also unrelated to Brodhead's apology.
However, Trustees were present at the conference only during the president's remarks, noted senior Ken Larrey, founder of Duke Students for an Ethical Duke-a group formed in the aftermath of the lacrosse case to advocate equality and fairness for all students.
"He gave that apology because the Trustees ordered him to," he said. "I'm not even sure he believed what he was saying."
Larrey added that Brodhead could have been responding to pressure from Bilas' letter to Bliwise, which Bilas said he still stood by.
"What President Brodhead apologized for was his weakness and failures as a leader, but what we're left with is a weak leader," Bilas said. "I respect him very much as a scholar, but I think he's proven himself incapable to lead Duke into the future."
Others who were present at the conference, however, interpreted the situation differently.
"I think his statement was exactly right," Bradley said. "His statement did a good job of apologizing for things that needed to be apologized for while acknowledging how complicated this was for the University."
Coleman said many of the unsettled concerns at this juncture pivot on whether the University had supported its students enough.
"I think there was almost a sense of relief, that a kind of a final piece had been put into place," Coleman said. "He recognized the University had not [done enough], and as president, he took responsibility for that. He made no excuses, and I think that was appropriate."
Law professor James Coleman said the nature of Brodhead's response did not indicate concern over a lawsuit.
"Given the unequivocal nature of his remarks, I don't think he was concerned with [a lawsuit]," he said. "I think he did the right thing, and the fact that he did the right thing in the face of a threatened lawsuit is [commendable]."
Burness said the presence of the Trustees, who were in Durham for the weekend, was also unrelated to Brodhead's apology.
However, Trustees were present at the conference only during the president's remarks, noted senior Ken Larrey, founder of Duke Students for an Ethical Duke-a group formed in the aftermath of the lacrosse case to advocate equality and fairness for all students.
"He gave that apology because the Trustees ordered him to," he said. "I'm not even sure he believed what he was saying."
Larrey added that Brodhead could have been responding to pressure from Bilas' letter to Bliwise, which Bilas said he still stood by.
"What President Brodhead apologized for was his weakness and failures as a leader, but what we're left with is a weak leader," Bilas said. "I respect him very much as a scholar, but I think he's proven himself incapable to lead Duke into the future."
Others who were present at the conference, however, interpreted the situation differently.
"I think his statement was exactly right," Bradley said. "His statement did a good job of apologizing for things that needed to be apologized for while acknowledging how complicated this was for the University."
Coleman said many of the unsettled concerns at this juncture pivot on whether the University had supported its students enough.
"I think there was almost a sense of relief, that a kind of a final piece had been put into place," Coleman said. "He recognized the University had not [done enough], and as president, he took responsibility for that. He made no excuses, and I think that was appropriate."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 17
Frank (Sonny) Sorrell, '56
posted 10/01/07 @ 9:07 AM EST
Courage and leadership are shown instantaneously when the fight begins, not eighteen months later. Everyone of us are a John Wayne once the indians have left the battleground. (Continued…)
Duke Family
posted 10/01/07 @ 9:55 AM EST
An interested person posted these questions at a Duke graduate's blog titled John in Carolina : 1) Why did Duke advise the lacrosse players not to tell their parents about events of that infamous evening and why did it advise them not retain counsel. (Continued…)
good questions
posted 10/01/07 @ 11:21 AM EST
As much as Broadhead has screwed up, there are some things which I think we might want to recognize so that they can be changed, and these questions above strike a bunch of them:
1) Duke should have guidelines for students, faculty, and staff in situations like this. (Continued…)
Hershel Parker
Hershel Parker
posted 10/01/07 @ 1:18 PM EST
Sonny Sorrell is right.
Everyone has had time to analyze Brodhead's speech now. The best rhetorical examination I have seen is Michael Gaynor's "Duke Case: The Brodhead Apology. (Continued…)
Ken Larrey
posted 10/01/07 @ 2:05 PM EST
Well actually the lawsuit wasn't the only situation to which I was referring.
-Ken Larrey
John Steed
posted 10/01/07 @ 2:35 PM EST
Good morning again, 'Anonymous' poster (1:43 & 1:45) known far and wide as Brodhead's Secretary.
In a confusing world where "facts keep changing" (copyright R. (Continued…)
why now?
posted 10/01/07 @ 3:45 PM EST
The timing for an apology that brodhead gave should have been right after the proclamation of innocent by the AG, and given to the parents. One who cannot make decisions will wait for a convenient time such as a conference about a different subject than apologies and then state that much of him wishes the whole thing will be forgotten. (Continued…)
Ken Larrey
posted 10/01/07 @ 4:48 PM EST
A few mistakes in "quoting" me. You paraphrased me, you didn't quote me. I did not use the word "ordered" and I certainly did not say "ordered" unequivocally. (Continued…)
Alum8284
posted 10/01/07 @ 6:43 PM EST
"But John Burness, vice president for government affairs and public relations, said Brodhead had been seeking an opportunity to make such a statement for some time. (Continued…)
Duke Alum
posted 10/02/07 @ 11:40 AM EST
Burness appears to be continuing the saga of Duke administration ineptness. One who should be well-versed in public affairs should understand that you do not wait for the right moment to apologize, you create the right moment - that is the sign of leadership. (Continued…)
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