Letters to the Editor

General:

The Horizon recognizes its position on campus as a printed medium for the expression of current student opinion. Therefore, the letters to the editor shall always be conducted in as fair and responsible a manner as possible.

The Horizon accepts all letters addressed to the editor but reserves the right to determine the content of its publication including the letters section.

The decision to publish a letter shall not be based on whether the editorial board of the Horizon agrees with the position.

The letters section shall not become a propaganda outlet for any individual or pressure group.

Submission of Letters:

• Any person other than Horizon staff members may submit a letter to the Horizon
• All letters must be accompanied by the writer’s name, signature, and telephone number.
• Any letters from an organization must be signed by the organization president to be accepted.

Acceptance of letters

The Horizon accepts all letters initially, but requests revisions of letters that are not publishable as submitted.

Letters that are not publishable include the following:

• Letters that are obscene, libelous and/or racially, sexually or religiously offensive.
• Literary endeavors, poetry and publicity releases.
• Any other material that the editorial board may deem not to be a letter.
• Letters rejected by the editor for specific reasons to be stated in writing.

The Horizon also may request revisions of letters that would be publishable as submitted, but may reflect badly on the Horizon because of language structure and/or usage or because of verbosity.

Letters are generally published as submitted although minor corrections may be made if the content is not violated by such changes.

Letters should, in general, be limited to 300 words. Letters may be edited for length by the editor.

The Horizon shall not print pen names on letters.

Selection of letters for publication

Because of space limitations, it may not always be possible to publish all acceptable letters. In such cases, the letters to be published will be selected by the editor.

The proper use of logic and the accuracy of facts as well as probable reader interest are of primary importance in the selection of letters for publication when space restrictions prevent publication of all letters. Inaccuracies and/or improper use of logic shall constitute grounds for exclusion from publication.

Inaccuracies may be pointed out in an editor’s note. Faulty logic, if it misleads readers on an issue of importance, also may be pointed out.

If two or more letters on the same subject are received, and space is a problem, the letter(s) to be published shall be selected in accordance with the foregoing and the following criteria and procedures:

• If there are both pro and con letters, those that best present the arguments for their respective sides shall be published.
• If only one side of an issue is addressed, then that (or those) that best present the issues shall be published.

The editor may seek the advice of the editorial board and/or the adviser in selecting letters for publication.

Any letter that appears irrelevant shall be referred to Editorial Board for discussion and a vote on whether to publish it.

Letters dealing with individuals or an individual’s behavior must be reviewed by Editorial Board.

The Editorial Board shall decide whether the Horizon will withhold a letter writer’s name upon his/her request.

The letter writer shall be informed of the board’s decision as soon as possible.

If the board decides that the writer’s name cannot be withheld, then the writer shall be given the opportunity to withdraw the letter.

Complaints

Complaints about content in the Horizon should be addressed to the editor in writing, with a request for a response. If the complainant is not satisfied by the editor’s response, he or she can contact the advisor with a request to present the written complaint to the Editorial Board. The Editorial Board will discuss the complaint and vote on how to respond to it. Their decision is final.