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
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Brodhead's remarks made up just 15 minutes of a two-day conference called "The Court of Public Opinion: The Practice and Ethics of Trying Cases in the Media." But for some, his words were perhaps the most significant of the entire event.
Brodhead's original involvement in the conference had been canceled, and he was not expected to be a part of the programming until a month ago, when he asked to speak after the lacrosse panel, said Kathryn Bradley, senior lecturing fellow at the School of Law and chair of the conference steering committee.
"Although the conference was planned without [his address], I think it was exactly the right place and the right time," she said.
Others, however, said although the conference may have set an appropriate tone, the timing was off.
"I thought it was appropriate that President Brodhead would apologize for the failure of the leadership, but it was well over a year late," Jay Bilas, Trinity '86 and Law '92, told The Chronicle Sunday.
Bilas wrote a letter in June to the editor of Duke Magazine, Robert Bliwise, which recently appeared on the magazine's Web site. The letter called for the resignation of both Brodhead and the chair of the Board of Trustees, Robert Steel, Trinity '73.
"The vast majority of his words and actions, and in many cases his silence, emphasized an aura of guilt of the students and of the University," the letter reads. "From the beginning, President Brodhead abdicated his responsibility as Duke's leader to stand up for fairness and truth."
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.
Burness added that the timing of Brodhead's apology was independent of last week's announcement that several lacrosse families had hired attorney Charles Cooper, which sparked rumors that the University could soon face a lawsuit.
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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