By Niraj Chokshi
News Editor

Ask any conservative to list the two institutions where “liberal bias” is most oppressive and the response will likely be, “college campuses and the media.” This past week, campus conservatives claim they experienced oppression from both.

Last Monday, Feb. 23, Doug Hubley – a staff writer for the Office of Communications and Media Relations (OCMR) – wrote an email to the Director of the OCMR, Bryan McNulty, concerning a press release he received from Oli Wolf, Vice President of the Bates Republicans. Hubley, who only meant to send his response to McNulty, also sent a copy of the response to Wolf. In the email Hubley called the Republicans “a bunch of thugs” and questioned printing a press release submitted by Wolf, saying it “seems pretty far afield for an event that we would publicize, but that may just be my socialist tendencies.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, Wolf responded by emailing McNulty and William Hiss – Vice President of External and Alumni Affairs. Wolf called Hubley’s reference to the Republicans as a ‘bunch of thugs,’ “hardly a professional way to conduct business with a student group seeking assistance. At worst, it proves our worst assumptions that the College and its staff are actively working against the interests of College Republicans because of their agenda.”

In the email, Wolf also referenced an interview the Portland Press Herald had scheduled with him only an hour after they received his press release – the same one he sent to the OCMR. Wolf also said that Hubley’s email made him feel “uncomfortable to be a student.”

Obviously upset by the email, Wolf described his previous relationship with Hubley as having been “relatively cordial.” Wolf also recognized that, last year, “They did highlight my feature in an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, Hubley responded with an apologetic letter he delivered to Andrew Simon, President of the Bates Republicans, Oli Wolf and the Bates Republicans’ office. Hubley explained that his words were simply a “stupid, callous use of humor.” He explained that his “sense of humor tends, sometimes unfortunately, to take the form of sarcasm and irony” and that his “comment was intended only in that sense.” Hubley also reminded Wolf of their “amicable meeting” in the 2002-2003 academic year, saying “I have always done my best to represent your organization fairly in CMR publications.” He concluded by apologizing and hoped that Wolf and he can “continue working together productively in the future.”

McNulty also released a statement apologizing for Hubley’s comments, and announcing that a formal letter of reprimand had been added to Hubley’s personnel file. McNulty wrote, “Let this be clear, no mincing words: Hubley was wrong.” McNulty also called Hubley’s email “an unintended aberration,” and “inexcusable.” He also reminded readers that: “The fact is, no student organization has requested more assistance with publicity – and received more assistance with publicity – than the Bates Republicans. We have, in fact, publicized every speaker and event that the group requested. We have provided expert advice to Wolf on how to effectively contact news media, and provided Wolf with a media contact list.” McNulty also referenced past friendly conversations between him and Wolf.

Professor Paul Kuritz, advisor to the Bates Republicans, said that the relationship between the Bates College Republicans and the OCMR “couldn’t have been nicer.” However, he added, “then again we’ve only dealt in public ventures.” Kuritz explained that when there is a disconnect between public and private dealings, “it makes you wonder which is real.” He asked, “what kind of atmosphere exists at Bates where certain student groups can be joked about” during work.

After a Friday meeting with Hubley, Hiss, Victoria Devlin, Kuritz, Wolf, and Simon, Wolf seemed optimistic about the future relationship between the Republicans and the OCMR. “We are hopeful that after this meeting and the national reception of the incident we’ll change the institutionalized culture that’s adverse to everyone’s education,” he said. Wolf added, “I accept his apology, however, it doesn’t take away from the discrimination about the larger ideas.”






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