Criticism of apology's timing misplaced

I was pleased to see your editorial today supporting the substance of President Brodhead's statement on Saturday, but I want to take issue with your criticism of the timing and venue of the statement.

President Brodhead delivered his statement at a well-publicized conference atthe Law School entitled "The Court of Public Opinion: The Practice and Ethics of Trying Cases in the Media," an event designed to do exactly what President Brodhead suggested we all need to do, which is to learn from the larger lessons of the lacrosse case.

It was not "unexpected" that President Brodhead would speak at the conference, or that he would speak about the lacrosse case. Publicity for the conference included posters on campus and ads in a number of local publications, among them the Chronicle. The posters and ads directed those interested to the conference website, which listed a full program and all participants for the conference. Although President Brodhead was not originally scheduled to appear at the conference, in part because of his very full schedule over the weekend with University Trustees, he requested some weeks ago (before the appearance of the posters and ads) that he be given the opportunity to reflect on the lacrosse case at the conference, and the conference website was updated immediately to reflect his participation.

Contrary to the suggestions in your editorial, the Law School is neither "far removed from the heart of the community," nor is it "inaccessible." The conference posters and ads expressly stated that members of the University community and the general public were welcome to attend conference sessions free of charge, and a number of interested persons accepted that invitation and were present when President Brodhead spoke. No one was turned away.

Nor was there any delay in making information about President Brodhead's statement available to members of the University community who were not present. The text of the speech was posted immediately on Duke News, and the webcast of his remarks was available on the Duke Law website by 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Your editorial notes that the statement represents "a turning point" that "will do much to bring a sense of closure." It disserves that purpose and the interest of the University to diminish the effect of the statement by second-guessing the means of its delivery.

Kathryn Bradley

Senior Lecturing Fellow