As a college newspaper committed to seeking the truth and reporting it, this semester has challenged our news reporting abilities.
We’ve had to turn to anonymous apps like Fizz to find the details surrounding breaking news around campus; however we've only ever reported from police reports received from the South Orange Police Station, which is public information. This is because Seton Hall doesn’t explicitly speak out when something serious happens.
Back in September, an 18-year-old male freshman was arrested after he allegedly pointed a knife in the direction of an 18-year-old female student in a Boland Hall elevator. In October, students connected to fraternities Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) and Pi Kappa Phi (Pi Kapp) were charged with aggravated assault after an altercation at South Orange train station. In both instances, SHU provided unspecific comments to The Setonian about these situations.
In October, The Setonian heard rumors surrounding resident assistants (RAs) in Boland Hall getting dismissed because of their behavior on duty. The university would not confirm or deny that this had happened, saying they had no comment on personnel matters—even though we intended to protect the privacy of those involved by withholding their names. When we tried to interview RAs, we heard they were told not to speak on the matter, which greatly hindered our reporting and our duty to serve the community.
Also, in October, while investigating the issue of hazing in our sororities and fraternities, we heard from a source that one organization was abusing its pledges and that a report on this alleged abuse had been made to the university. The university, again, would not confirm or deny whether any report had been made, telling us only, “Any reports [of hazing] are thoroughly reviewed and investigated in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures.” This left us with no answers, so we reluctantly chose to drop the story, although we know it is an issue of grave concern.
In May, a former baseball player filed suit alleging that he was beaten and subjected to disturbing sexual rituals when he joined the baseball team during his freshman year at SHU.
The Setonian received a comment from SHU, but it said very little about the matter. Since then, there hasn’t been any message from the university about this lawsuit or any hazing issues on the baseball team.
To start, we give our respect to SHU for working with us on our reporting. The division of University Relations always responds to our requests and helps connect us with university officials. Even when we publish stories that may not paint the university in the best light, SHU recognizes the importance of a student press free from outside interference and censorship.
During our years on the paper, administrators have never tried to tell us what we can or can’t publish. This stands in stark contrast to the situation at some other universities, as the recent controversy over the student newspaper at Indiana University shows.
We love Seton Hall, and the majority of our coverage focuses on the positive: campus organizations and events, the Pirates’ athletic exploits, and the achievements of students and faculty. But when negative or controversial events take place, as they do on most college campuses, it is our duty to inform the community with reliable, independent reporting. We can’t do this effectively when the university refuses to provide answers to our questions.
SHU is consistent when it comes to praying for faculty, staff, and students who may have passed away; however, when it comes to breaking, active news on campus, there’s not much to be seen or heard.
As student journalists, it is our responsibility to be a voice for the university and to keep students informed. When we receive a “no comment” from the university, it makes our jobs harder since we can’t inform the community of events that ensued. With a “no comment” response, we can't follow our 100+ year old motto, vowing “to serve the Seton Hall community and the wider surrounding area by delivering the news with a sense of integrity, honesty and urgency in mind.”
Given the situations that occurred in September and October, how are students supposed to know about any dangers if they are not informed? That’s where The Setonian has stepped in, but SHU has not.
It’s distressing that it took a request from The Setonian for comment for the university to say anything about these matters. Before any comments given to The Setonian via email, speculation ran rampant on social media, which is dangerous; rumors are a way of spreading misinformation. Students have a right to know what’s happening and they have a right to feel safe on campus.
Transparency is key to building trust and community. As a result of SHU’s silence, students ask members of The Setonian personally for details on what’s going on. Most of the time, this is information that we can’t even obtain or release because the university chooses to withhold it.
Other universities remain transparent in the face of controversy.
In May, at Villanova University, a sophomore was arrested for allegedly recording videos of his male peers in the shower stalls in a residence hall.
Villanova made an announcement to the community, letting students know the university police had launched an investigation and that the charged student was no longer on campus.
SHU is comparable to Villanova. Both have approximately 10,000 students. Both are BIG EAST schools and are Catholic universities with a priest as president. Why does Villanova announce dangerous situations on campus, but SHU doesn’t, if they have all these things in common?
Let’s pivot back to New Jersey universities. At Princeton University in April 2024, protestors tried to occupy a campus building. The staff found themselves yelled at, threatened, and ordered out of the building.
Afterward, the vice president for campus life, Rochelle Calhoun, sent a message to the university community explaining what would happen to those involved, mentioning that 11 students had been arrested and that they would “face a University disciplinary process that may lead to suspension, the withholding of degrees, or expulsion.”
When students have been arrested or charged on or off SHU’s campus this year, by contrast, SHU has not announced it to the community or explained what measures the university is taking to protect them.
Rutgers University, a fellow New Jersey university and one of SHU’s sports rivals, has also remained transparent in the face of controversy.
A few months ago, a Rutgers fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi, closed due to hazing violations. On Rutgers’ website, they list sororities or fraternities that have been closed “by the national organization and/or the university.” These closed chapters are “no longer considered student organizations” at Rutgers and “may no longer operate on campus.” Alpha Sigma Phi is listed, with a closing date of fall 2025.
On SHU’s campus, there is speculation that Fiji, one of the fraternities allegedly involved in October’s altercation, has been suspended, but SHU has neither formally announced nor acknowledged this. This allows students to remain curious and confused, since there are no answers.
In November, a Rutgers student reported that “he was involved in a verbal dispute with several people before he was physically assaulted by a single perpetrator who emerged from the group.”
The victim was treated for an injury at a nearby hospital. The perpetrator was charged with aggravated assault. A university-wide email was sent, letting students know what happened and that Rutgers police were investigating.
At SHU, students did not receive an email about the student who pointed a knife in Boland Hall. Students also weren’t told if the student was suspended or remained on campus. The same thing goes for the fraternity brothers charged with aggravated assault. Why is Rutgers transparent, but SHU isn’t, especially if serious criminal charges are involved?
Michael Hyland, assistant vice president of public relations and marketing said SHU, like all universities, follows The Clery Act, a law which “aims to provide transparency around campus crime policy and statistics” and Family Educational Rights and Privacy (FERPA), which protects the privacy of students.
Every university uses the framework of The Clery Act, but not all policies are the same, which is why SHU might not make a formal announcement regarding a particular situation.
Hyland explained that SHU’s goal is to let people know when something is serious. If there’s an active threat, SHU will let the community know, however, they don’t want to desensitize the community by putting out a formal, university-wide announcement every time something happens, since it may hurt SHU or someone else in the future.
When students are involved, they have a right to have their privacy protected and SHU does that, under FERPA. When altercations or incidents aren’t announced, it’s because of FERPA.
Although SHU has policies and laws to abide by, we still believe that students deserve answers.
The Setonian is urging SHU to be transparent. Let’s start next semester off right. That’s all we want for Christmas.
CORRECTION: The Setonian falsely implied that reporting comes directly from rumors on Fizz. This is not the case, as that is not honest, accurate, or fair reporting. ALL Articles published have been based on police reports received from the SOPD regarding said incidents on or around campus.
The Voice is intended to best represent the collective opinion of The Editorial Board. It is written by The Setonian’s Editor-in-Chief.
