An Apology
I wish to express deep regret for my error in judgment in advocating publication of Prof. Wayne Helmer’s letter in the September issue of Prism and for the resulting anger, pain, disappointment, and embarrassment to ASEE members, officers, and staff and the LGBTQ community.
My rationale in publishing the letter has been reported elsewhere and will not be repeated here. In that rationale, I failed to recognize that there is a balance to be struck between representing a variety of viewpoints and not providing a platform for views that are generally considered outside the mainstream of public debate. As a privately published, society-focused magazine, Prism is under no obligation to address issues not directly relevant to engineering education, research, service, or practice. ASEE has a very explicit and inclusive Diversity Statement, and the views expressed by Prof. Helmer were in clear conflict with that statement. Furthermore, we should not have included the artwork from the “Secrets Are Out” feature story that appeared in the October 2011 issue of Prism, as some found this confusing.
Moving forward, Prism will include a standing disclaimer in our letters section, but more fundamentally, we will apply the following tests in selecting letters for publication:
- The letter is stimulated by and responds to the substance of content appearing in Prism.
- The letter makes points relevant to advancing engineering education, research, service, or practice.
- The letter is not mean-spirited, nor does it engage in ad hominem attacks.
- The letter does not serve to advance a narrow ideological, commercial, or “institutional booster” interest.
I look forward to returning Prism to being a source of pleasure, enjoyment, fascination, and learning.
Norman L. Fortenberry
n.fortenberry@asee.org