2008 Woodie Awards
Author of Controversial E-mail Apologizes
Jeff Cicero ‘06
Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: Commentary
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To The Colgate Community:
Most of you who read this article have no idea who I am. My name is Jeff Cicero, Class of 2006. I am the author of a satirical e-mail that has been recently circulated around - and possibly beyond - campus. I am fully responsible for the recent tension and feeling of unrest on campus as a result of this letter. I want to make things right again. I never wanted anyone to feel offended as a result of what I wrote. And I want this campus to know that I am deeply saddened that my thoughtlessness and passion manifested themselves in such an ugly manner. Please, if you read nothing else in this article then read this: I am truly, sincerely sorry for the offense my letter has caused to the members of this community.
I want to apologize to the student body and to Colgate University. I am shocked and remorseful that what I wrote has caused a large disturbance on our campus. My letter was a satire reflecting my passion on the issue of Greek House acquisitions. I know the campus is sick of the issue, and I never intended for this letter to be circulated. I sent it to some friends of mine who felt similarly about the heavy authority of the administration because they knew who I was and what my intentions were. I also submitted the letter to my theater company for possible inclusion as a satirical skit. The letter was rejected and my colleagues helped me realize that my analogy was a very poorly chosen one. After rehearsal, I took and destroyed all printed copies of my letter.
In no way was my letter designed to target or attack any specific person or student group on this campus. The names I referenced, without their permission, I did so only because they serve as public figures for their respective organizations. I did not nor do I have any ill-will towards them. I was only trying to express myself through satire. I am very sorry that I have offended them.
As soon as I realized what kind of damage my satire would have if taken out of context, I immediately e-mailed my friends and demanded that everyone contain and delete my e-mail. As soon as I found out that what I had written was circulated outside of my friends, I immediately came forward to the administration to claim responsibility for my actions. You may have heard from President Chopp at the President's Dinner on Wednesday April 20th that I was 'caught' as the result of an investigation. This is untrue.
Most of you who read this article have no idea who I am. My name is Jeff Cicero, Class of 2006. I am the author of a satirical e-mail that has been recently circulated around - and possibly beyond - campus. I am fully responsible for the recent tension and feeling of unrest on campus as a result of this letter. I want to make things right again. I never wanted anyone to feel offended as a result of what I wrote. And I want this campus to know that I am deeply saddened that my thoughtlessness and passion manifested themselves in such an ugly manner. Please, if you read nothing else in this article then read this: I am truly, sincerely sorry for the offense my letter has caused to the members of this community.
I want to apologize to the student body and to Colgate University. I am shocked and remorseful that what I wrote has caused a large disturbance on our campus. My letter was a satire reflecting my passion on the issue of Greek House acquisitions. I know the campus is sick of the issue, and I never intended for this letter to be circulated. I sent it to some friends of mine who felt similarly about the heavy authority of the administration because they knew who I was and what my intentions were. I also submitted the letter to my theater company for possible inclusion as a satirical skit. The letter was rejected and my colleagues helped me realize that my analogy was a very poorly chosen one. After rehearsal, I took and destroyed all printed copies of my letter.
In no way was my letter designed to target or attack any specific person or student group on this campus. The names I referenced, without their permission, I did so only because they serve as public figures for their respective organizations. I did not nor do I have any ill-will towards them. I was only trying to express myself through satire. I am very sorry that I have offended them.
As soon as I realized what kind of damage my satire would have if taken out of context, I immediately e-mailed my friends and demanded that everyone contain and delete my e-mail. As soon as I found out that what I had written was circulated outside of my friends, I immediately came forward to the administration to claim responsibility for my actions. You may have heard from President Chopp at the President's Dinner on Wednesday April 20th that I was 'caught' as the result of an investigation. This is untrue.