Hook dishonors community

Lack of responsibility comes in many forms.

Drinking a fifth of a gallon of an alcoholic beverage before noon is one form. Claiming to do so as part of tradition at UVA is another form. And, I submit, so is giving prominence and display to such behavior.

The cover story of the December 1 edition of The Hook ["4th and binge: The fourth-year fifth– tradition or insanity?"] may or may not be good journalism; it may or may not sell papers; it may or may not reflect current journalistic ethics. But it definitely dishonors the community that it aims to serve.

I do not claim that the article defends the behavior. I do not claim that the article glamorizes the behavior. I do not claim that the article is biased, or unfair, or poorly written, or bad journalism.

I simply regret that it is irresponsible.

As irresponsible as drinking a fifth of a gallon of an alcoholic beverage before a football game. As irresponsible as smashing glass bottles on sidewalks. As irresponsible as claiming such behavior is a time-honored tradition at UVA.

I read this article, in this season, and I am sad– sad for "John," sad for The Hook, sad– all over again– for Leslie Baltz and her family.

My new year's resolution is the same as my old year's resolution. As a faculty member at UVA, I will continue to do what I can to help our students learn, have fun, honor themselves and their school, and live long and healthy lives. And I will continue to ask our community to help me do that.

Adrienne Keller, PhD
Associate Professor, Psychiatric Medicine & Public Health Sciences
University of Virginia