CSU's Collegian controversy continues

FORT COLLINS – Colorado State University's College Republicans stationed themselves in a popular area of campus Monday asking people to sign a petition that requests the resignation of J. David McSwane, Editor-in-Chief of the Rocky Mountain Collegian.

The campaign follows an editorial published in the Collegian on Friday. The editorial reads "Taser this…F--- BUSH," in large type about twice the size of headlines, followed by a statement saying, "This column represents the views of the Collegian's editorial board."

The editorial sparked a firestorm on campus that quickly spread to the national media. The story has made its way to CNN, MSNBC and national radio talk shows.

McSwane now finds himself in the middle of a large discussion involving First Amendment rights and journalistic ethics.

"We thought it was in our right to stand up and say this is inappropriate in a public publication that goes all over our community where people of all ages can see it," said College Republican Chesley Penoyer, who helped collect signatures Monday.

McSwane declined a request for an interview, but did say in an online statement that he would not resign and, "We feel this statement, albeit unpopular, was necessary in communicating our opinion that it's time college students challenge the current political climate and speak out."

Student reaction to the fallout of the editorial has been mixed.

"In a way it's almost refreshing. I don't think it was necessary, I don't think that profanity needed to be used, but it did a lot. It sparked debate, it sparked conversation, it made people question, it made people think," said CSU student Rachael Martin.

"I thought it was good that it brought attention to several different issues, both political and freedom-of-speech-related issues. I didn't think it was that well stated, but I think that was the point," said CSU student Tom Grant.

CSU's Young Democrats fear the editorial has alienated conservatives on campus, but add it has created quite a bit of dialogue.

Those with CSU's Board of Student Communications, which oversees the Collegian, say a meeting will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. to discuss the editorial and "determine if the complaints have merit."