Why not cover interesting leaders?

In reading The Chronicle on Feb. 15, the first thing I saw, as usual, was the headline story on the front page. Upon reading the story about Scott Keane, I was disappointed to discover that it was not particularly noteworthy, at least not worthy of its location in the paper. My impression was that the author was trying to create come controversy about the candidate or the Duke Student Government when there really was no sufficient evidence. Perhaps more disturbing was the fact that I found myself saying, "Who cares?" after I read the story. Maybe this is indicative of apathy, but I think it is due more to the bad timing and placement of the story. At the time, not many people knew about the upcoming DSG election, let alone cared that one of the four candidates had dropped out. Realizing this, to put this article as the lead story seems irresponsible, quite frankly.

My main point, however, is this: Why does a story about a DSG official pulling out of an election appear at the top of the front page, when there are never any stories about any of the myriad of student leaders who do wonderful things and effect many changes on this campus? Granted, there was a story on Sarah Dodds recently, but to see this Scott Keane story as more interesting and important than features or news about other student leaders, let alone important world issues, seems foolhardy. I do not mean to belittle what Scott Keane may have done for Duke, but the contents of this story could have fit into three sentences on page three. It is a shame that The Chronicle will go to every DSG meeting to write down and report every bit of hot air spewed forth, while seeming content to ignore the student leaders and student groups that produce tangible events, services and changes on this campus.

Brian Harris

Engineering '94