'Hell' and the student government
Jake Nash and Gregory Royal Pratt
Issue date: 10/5/09 Section: News
The elephant in the room at the meeting was a video that Wiedeman posted to the Internet the night before about Calcaterra. In the video, Wiedeman shows footage he shot of Calcaterra half a year ago that helped cause the disqualification of Students for Better Government in the spring election and, through narrative text, implies that Calcaterra is a "cheat" and an "elitist," and accuses her of being a criminal. The point was underlined and sharpened by the background music Wiedeman chose for the video: "Take a Bow," by Muse. "You will risk all their lives and their souls. / And burn, you will burn, / You will burn in hell, yeah you'll burn in hell. / You'll burn in hell, yeah you'll burn in hell for your sins."
In the leadup to the meeting, several members of USG expressed concern over the video to the Chicago Flame. For her part, Calcaterra expresses dismay and confusion over the incident.
"The first time I watched the video I was too distracted reading the statements to pay attention to the lyrics of the song. It wasn't until my roommate commented on how disturbing they were that I really gave them a listen," says Calcaterra. "I was quite shocked at the sentiment that the lyrics conveyed. The message came through loud and clear though."
She went on to say that "Zachariah is an RA with campus housing. I believe that university employees should conduct themselves with more dignity. The inappropriately threatening tone of the video should go without mention. Harassment on this level, for me, is unacceptable by a UIC student and employee."
Wiedeman did not respond to a request for comment on the appropriateness of his message, the feelings it was meant to convey, or his thoughts composing the video. USG advisor and Assistant Dean of Students J. Malcolm Smith was also asked to comment on the appropriateness of the video but did not respond to the Flame's inquiry.
Two new members were elected to USG at the meeting: Sean Murray and Alma Zamudio.
In the leadup to the meeting, several members of USG expressed concern over the video to the Chicago Flame. For her part, Calcaterra expresses dismay and confusion over the incident.
"The first time I watched the video I was too distracted reading the statements to pay attention to the lyrics of the song. It wasn't until my roommate commented on how disturbing they were that I really gave them a listen," says Calcaterra. "I was quite shocked at the sentiment that the lyrics conveyed. The message came through loud and clear though."
She went on to say that "Zachariah is an RA with campus housing. I believe that university employees should conduct themselves with more dignity. The inappropriately threatening tone of the video should go without mention. Harassment on this level, for me, is unacceptable by a UIC student and employee."
Wiedeman did not respond to a request for comment on the appropriateness of his message, the feelings it was meant to convey, or his thoughts composing the video. USG advisor and Assistant Dean of Students J. Malcolm Smith was also asked to comment on the appropriateness of the video but did not respond to the Flame's inquiry.
Two new members were elected to USG at the meeting: Sean Murray and Alma Zamudio.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Calcaterra the Hypocrite
posted 10/05/09 @ 6:32 PM CST
Calcaterra said " I believe that university employees should conduct themselves with more dignity". How about our student representatives? Doing what she did is completely void of dignity. (Continued…)
maple
posted 10/06/09 @ 5:16 AM CST
MapleSEA has always been about maple story the same level as GlobalMS. MSEA got the Knights of Cygnus, GMS got Koc, MapleSEA got the Pirate class firstmaple story mesos,then we got it. (Continued…)
kowalski
posted 10/08/09 @ 8:34 AM CST
strange kids
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