Walk down the right hallway of second Murphy, and you’ll find a blue office toward the end of the hall. Inside sits a Jandoli School legend, Carole McNall.
Chances are, you’ll find a student in her office with her. An editor of The BV might sit in the chair next to her desk, running decisions for the week’s paper by her. A member of The Buzz might be chatting with her about radio shows airing the next day.
McNall takes the time to engage with these students, helping them weigh pros and cons, advising on the best course of action or critiquing the previous week’s work.
Flash forward—the school week is over. McNall’s students sigh relief as they finally feel themselves relax, shedding their responsibilities for the weekend. As they sit in dorm rooms, head to the bars and laugh amongst friends, McNall sits at home, reading The BV from that day, writing a detailed list of things her students can do better.
As students’ weekends are in full swing, McNall is just getting her weekend started. Her students receive an email at 11:45 p.m. on a Friday night, guiding them toward becoming better journalists—more ethical, more AP style savvy, more understanding of different perspectives.
Even with a full class load, McNall makes time for her students, whenever they need her. Her dedication is award winning… literally. She won the Fr. Bob Stewart, O.F.M. Advisor/Moderator of the Year at the Fr. Joe Doino, O.F.M. Awards in April 2017, an award that’s only presented to the most dedicated of club advisers.
And yet, McNall has been accused of being an “absentee” adviser and removed from her position as The BV’s adviser.
Countless alumni have contested the label, as have current students. A petition with over 600 signatures shows support for McNall’s reinstatement and shows the inaccuracy of the label. The Editorial Board of The BV feels the same way.
We’ve seen McNall go far beyond the realm of what most advisers would do for their students. We’ve watched her care for us all and for our organization.
Eight years of devoted, well-executed time spent as an adviser should not be gawked at by a frustrated administration.
If the best interests of students are truly at heart, we ask that administration listen to what we have to say. Don’t allow politics to taint your vision of an adviser with the potential to (and the track record for) helping students in student media organizations grow and refine their work.
Try sitting in that blue office, having a casual conversation with the woman who changed so many students’ lives before you tell us that our adviser isn’t doing enough for us. We think you’ll walk out of that office with a different perspective.
The Bona Venture Editorial Staff
bonaven@sbu.edu
