Throughout my time at Wesleyan I have written many Wespeaks. EVERY SINGLE TIME the Argus has changed my title. I assure you avid Argus readers, I do not exaggerate. I have been told by Argus staff that this is often due to the submission title being too long. However, my most recent Wespeak had a three-word title, “Argus ’Bends’ Facts,” that the Argus staff changed into a five-word (much longer) title: “Beckham Article Misses the Point.” Why did they do this? Perhaps because they didn’t want to have something in their newspaper that makes it very clear they do not care about their supposed editorial guidelines:
“The Argus reserves the right to edit all submissions for spelling, grammar, and length. The Wespeak editors may provide titles for any submissions.”
So they can just change any title into anything they want for no reason? Argus, is that what you are saying? Really? Do any of you plan on going into journalism? I promise you ideas of publishing and journalism that include changing people’s submissions at your own whim will not get you very far in the world of writing.
Argus staff, are you aware that it is against all publishing laws to misquote/put someone’s name on something that is NOT theirs? How can you justify changing the vast majority of Wespeak titles without telling the author?
So, Argus, I dare you to change this title. If you don’t, it would be the first time you have not changed one of my submission titles (out of over 10, perhaps 20, I have written).
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