Twitter Adds Safety Features

Shortly after Dick Costolo promised to address cyberbullying on Twitter, the company has implemented new safety features to protect users.

A new process allows users to report "abusive or harmful" tweets with a few easy clicks. In addition to this new reporting tool, Twitter announced the following accomplishments so far:

• "...we now review five times as many user reports as we did previously, and we have tripled the size of the support team focused on handling abuse reports."
• "...we've been able to significantly reduce the average response time to a fraction of what it was, and we see this number continuing to drop."

Discussion Starters:

• Assess Twitter's announcement of the new safety features. What do you find most and least convincing?
• How well will the new features address harassment and other bullying behavior on Twitter?

Deceiving Hotel Photos

Business Insider has gathered a bunch of deceiving hotel photos and compared them to real pictures taken on site. Some may be Photoshopped, while others may have been taken at creative angles with fancy lenses.

This example shows the pool of the Los Angeles Sofitel. Is it Photoshopped, or is Macy's cut out of the picture by the angle? The Business Insider article show 17 comparisons.

  
Discussion Starters:

• Some of these show the difference between a "staged" room and one ready for guests; others show different lighting and times of day. How much creativity do you find acceptable for photos posted on a hotel's website?
• Where's the ethical line here? Which, if any, of these photos do you consider a breach of ethics? Use the ethical decision-making guidelines in Chapter 1 to support your view.

Reports on UT Admissions Process

University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers is being criticized for admitting students based on their political or financial connections rather than on their merit. An investigation found that Powers overruled admissions advice for at least 73 students.

Kroll, a risk-management firm, produced a 107-page report to the chancellor of The University of Texas System, identifying "tensions between the Admissions Office and the President's Office." To explain his decisions, Powers said, "They are in the best interest-long-term interest-of the university."

A July 2014 report from the UT System, "Best Practices in Admissions Processes for Undergraduate and Professional Programs," acknowledges the "suspicion of a double standard that favors well-connected students." The report identifies the following strategies to ensure a fair admissions process: 

• Ensure transparency throughout the admissions process.
• Identify for students the criteria used in holistic review.
• Promote consistency in holistic reviews.
• Uphold the integrity of the admissions process by eliminating external influences and conflicts of interest.

(Download report.)

Discussion Starters:

• What are your views about Powers' selection process?
• Imagine that you're one of the 73 or so students who was admitted, presumably, with lower grades and fewer qualifications than other students. How would this news make you feel?
• Read both reports: Kroll and the UT-System. Compare the organization, design, content, tone, and so on according to principles in Chapter 10. How could both reports be improved?

Brian Williams Gets Suspended

NBC News president Deborah Turness announced the decision: Brian Williams will be suspended for six months. The suspension comes after a week of controversy about how Williams changed stories over time.

A New York Times article describes the decision-making process at NBC. Several people were consulted, including the highly respected Tom Brokaw, who was news anchor and managing editor before Williams took the position. The article is a window into corporate politics and decision making.

In an email to staff, Turness announced the suspension:

From: Deborah Turness (NBCUniversal)

Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 7:47 PM

To: @NBC Uni NBC News All

Subject: Brian Williams

All,

We have decided today to suspend Brian Williams as Managing Editor and Anchor of NBC Nightly News for six months. The suspension will be without pay and is effective immediately. We let Brian know of our decision earlier today. Lester Holt will continue to substitute Anchor the NBC Nightly News.

Our review, which is being led by Richard Esposito working closely with NBCUniversal General Counsel Kim Harris, is ongoing, but I think it is important to take you through our thought process in coming to this decision.

While on Nightly News on Friday, January 30, 2015, Brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003. It then became clear that on other occasions Brian had done the same while telling that story in other venues. This was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in Brian's position.

In addition, we have concerns about comments that occurred outside NBC News while Brian was talking about his experiences in the field.

As Managing Editor and Anchor of Nightly News, Brian has a responsibility to be truthful and to uphold the high standards of the news division at all times.

Steve Burke, Pat Fili and I came to this decision together. We felt it would have been wrong to disregard the good work Brian has done and the special relationship he has forged with our viewers over 22 years. Millions of Americans have turned to him every day, and he has been an important and well-respected part of our organization.

As I'm sure you understand, this was a very hard decision. Certainly there will be those who disagree. But we believe this suspension is the appropriate and proportionate action.

This has been a difficult time. But NBC News is bigger than this moment. You work so hard and dedicate yourselves each and every day to the important work of bringing trusted, credible news to our audience. Because of you, your loyalty, your dedication, NBC News is an organization we can – and should - all be proud of. We will get through this together.

Steve Burke asked me to share the following message.

"This has been a painful period for all concerned and we appreciate your patience while we gathered the available facts. By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News. His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate. Brian's life's work is delivering the news. I know Brian loves his country, NBC News and his colleagues. He deserves a second chance and we are rooting for him. Brian has shared his deep remorse with me and he is committed to winning back everyone's trust."

Deborah

Discussion Starters:

• Assess Turness' email. What is being said and what isn't? How is the email organized? What works well, and what doesn't?
• Consider the quotation from Steve Burke, CEO and president of NBCUniversal. Does this belong?
  
• Did Turness and the others make the right decision? Why or why not?

Uber's False-Cause Fallacy

A Fast Company report gives us a great example of a false-cause fallacy: "Uber Cures Leprosy."

The video pokes fun at Uber's claim that the service reduced the number of drunk driving incidents. Last year, Uber and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) announced a partnership that includes donations to the organization. However, a news release by MADD, although complimentary of Uber's service, doesn't imply causation:

"The report released today builds upon a study conducted by Uber in May 2014, which estimated that the entrance of Uber in Seattle coincided with a more than 10% reduction in the number of arrests for DUI. "

On the other hand, Uber's promotional materials do:

"A new report conducted in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reveals that when empowered with more transportation options like Uber, people are making better choices that save lives."

Discussion Starters:

• Is this just a difference in semantics or something more?
• Is the Fast Company video too critical of Uber?
• What fallacy does the Fast Company reporter use in comparing Uber's claim to curing leprosy?

Brian Williams Takes a Hiatus

After days of controversy and speculation, Brian Williams has decided to take a leave from news reporting. Williams, the anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News," has been criticized for inconsistencies in his reporting over time, raising questions about his credibility. 

Williams' reporting of the Iraq War and Hurricane Katrina are being investigated. He apologized this week for saying that, in 2003, he was on a helicopter that was hit by a grenade. His reporting at the time differed and changed during the past 12 years. During Hurricane Katrina, Williams claimed to have seen bodies floating in the French Quarter, but this is now disputed as well his claim to have contracted dysentery. 

In a brief statement posted on the NBC News site, Williams acknowledged the distraction: 

A Personal Note from Brian Williams

FEBRUARY 7, 2015 

In the midst of a career spent covering and consuming news, it has become painfully apparent to me that I am presently too much a part of the news, due to my actions.

As Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News, I have decided to take myself off of my daily broadcast for the next several days, and Lester Holt has kindly agreed to sit in for me to allow us to adequately deal with this issue. Upon my return, I will continue my career-long effort to be worthy of the trust of those who place their trust in us.

According to The New York Times, the leave may give the NBC executives more time to decide Williams' status with the network. 

Discussion Starters: 

• What do you make of Williams' reporting on these situations? Keep in mind that memory does change over time. 
• Did Williams do the right thing by taking a leave from the news? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Consider the potential consequences of staying and leaving.

Twitter CEO Admits Failures in Addressing Cyberbullying

In two internal discussion posts, Twitter CEO Dick Costolo addressed criticism that the company isn't doing enough to stop cyberbulling.

An employee raised the issue by citing Lindy West, a victim of harassment on Twitter:

"I'm aware that Twitter is well within its rights to let its platform be used as a vehicle for sexist and racist harassment. But, as a private company – just like a comedian mulling over a rape joke, or a troll looking for a target for his anger – it could choose not to. As a collective of human beings, it could choose to be better."

In both posts, Costolo's message is clear: "I take full responsibility."

Discussion Starters:

• What do you see as Twitter's responsibility, and what are the limits?
• What could the company do to prevent or address cyberbullying?

Discussion Starters:

Metro-North Accident Kills Six

Another Metro-North train accident caused several deaths-this time a collision with an SUV on the tracks in Valhalla, NY. It's unclear why Ellen Brody's car stopped in the train's path, and the driver behind her didn't understand why she didn't back up.

As with other Metro-North incidents, the organization provides service updates, but little human connection. The Metro-North news page only references a collision and provides transportation options. The Twitter feed also posts only service updates.

The MTA CEO did issue this statement: "The entire MTA family's thoughts are with the relatives and loved ones of the victims of last night's tragedy. We are tremendously saddened by this tragic accident, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all of them."

But the MTA press releases are cold statements of the facts:

Discussion Starters:

• Should the MTA do anything differently at this point? To be fair, this accident seems out of the organization's control, unlike the derailment in 2013.
• Compare the New York MTA's response to DC's statement when a woman died of smoke inhalation. What's different? Should the MTA write a similar apology?

Nationwide Ads

In a series of commercials, some of which played during the Super Bowl, Nationwide is encouraging parents to keep their kids safe. In each video, children are telling us that they can't do what they had hoped to do because they died.

Frank Eliason, a father who lost his child of four years old during a liver transplant, wrote a post describing how the ad affected him:

Let me introduce you to Gia. She was born in 2000. She never learned to ride a bike. Or got cooties. She never learned to fly. Or travel the world with her best friend. She will never get married. She didn't grow up, because she died during a liver transplant surgery as a result of liver cancer. She passed away on July 26, 2004.

Imagine Gia was your daughter. It is easy for me, because she is my daughter. Now we are over 10 years later, and I still think of her everyday. Now imagine escaping this troubled world for a few hours to enjoy the Super Bowl. It is an escape that only comes once a year. I enjoy watching the game with my girls, and try to forget the troubles the world brings. Then this commercial comes on:

How would you feel if you lost a child for any reason? Can you imagine the discussion it creates with your other children who are 7 & 8 about the sibling they never met? Simply put this brought nothing but pain to parents who lost a child, no matter the cause of death.

I know Nationwide has issued a statement stating that they were hoping to start a dialogue regarding safety in the home. That may be a noble goal, but this is not the way to start a dialogue of any kind. It is obvious to me that no one involved within the company or their advertising agency has ever suffered such a horrible loss. I certainly hope they never do.

Insurance is supposed to be about making you whole, but there is no insurance in the world that can ever make the loss of a child whole. In my view this commercial was much more than a downer, as the Washington Post stated. To me it was personal.

Here's Nationwide's press release:

 

Columbus, Ohio - Preventable injuries around the home are the leading cause of childhood deaths in America. Most people don't know that. Nationwide ran an ad during the Super Bowl that started a fierce conversation. The sole purpose of this message was to start a conversation, not sell insurance. We want to build awareness of an issue that is near and dear to all of us-the safety and well being of our children. We knew the ad would spur a variety of reactions. In fact, thousands of people visited MakeSafeHappen.com, a new website to help educate parents and caregivers with information and resources in an effort to make their homes safer and avoid a potential injury or death. Nationwide has been working with experts for more than 60 years to make homes safer. While some did not care for the ad, we hope it served to begin a dialogue to make safe happen for children everywhere.

In an unrelated Nationwide video, actress Mindy Kaling thinks she's invisible. This one's funny.

Discussion Starters:

• Do you find Nationwide's commercials offensive or insensitive?
• Assess the company's press release. Did it convey Nationwide's goals while recognizing intense reactions?

Target Employee Commits Suicide

A Target employee committed suicide apparently after being humiliated at a store. The mother of 22-year-old Graham Gentles filed suit, and her attorney describes his experience at the store: 

"While he was cuffed he was paraded through the store into a room and was interrogated there," attorney Patrick McNicholas said. "He was then paraded back out to the store, put into a patrol car and taken to Pasadena police station."

Gentles was accused of stealing but wasn't charged with a crime. 

Gentles' attorney says that he had autism: "He was hyper focused on his loss, and it was a perfect storm which resulted in his death." His mother says that her son told her, "Mom this is the worst day of my life." The suit also claims that the "walk of shame" is part of Target's disciplinary policy. Target issued this statement: 

"Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the friends and family of this individual. The allegations in the lawsuit of a Target policy or practice are simply not true. There is no such policy. As this is pending litigation, we don't have further comment at this time."

Discussion Starters: 

• What is Target's potential responsibility? Do you believe the company is to blame for Gentles' suicide? 
• Assess Target's statement. How appropriate is it, given the situation?

McDonald's "Signs" Campaign

McDonald's is trying another tact for improving business. The latest marketing campaign, "Signs," shows the company standing by the community in times of tragedy. 

McDonald's is certainly taking different approaches from simply promoting the taste of its food. The previous campaign focused on how food is made-an attempt at transparency, which worked for some but not everyone. The same could be said of this one. 

Steve McKee, president of an ad agency in Albuquerque, complimented the approach: "I thought the ad was awesome. It's clear that all the billboards were real. It was demonstrating that McDonald's is Americana." Some say the ads distinguish McDonald's from Wendy's, Chipotle, and Burger King, which couldn't make such claims.

But others say the company is capitalizing on tragedy. And of course, any campaign is an opportunity for ridicule. 

Discussion Starters: 

• Describe the ad strategy. What objectives is McDonald's trying to achieve?
• What's your view of the campaign: tasteless, clever, or something else?

Ogilvy Apologizes for Distasteful Ad

Ad agency Ogilvy & Mather has apologized for an offensive ad produced for Kurl-on, an Indian mattress company. What could go wrong when portraying a 14-year-old Taliban shooting victim in a cartoon? 

The company wanted to show that heroic figures "bounce back," but the ad doesn't quite work. The New York Times describes Malala Yousafzai, featured in the promotion: 

"At the age of 11, Malala Yousafzai took on the Taliban by giving voice to her dreams. As turbaned fighters swept through her town in northwestern Pakistan in 2009, the tiny schoolgirl spoke out about her passion for education - she wanted to become a doctor, she said - and became a symbol of defiance against Taliban subjugation."

Two other ads in the series aren't much better. Steve Jobs is shown pushed out a door, and Gandhi is thrown from a moving train. 

Before this one hit paid media outlets, online news organizations flagged the image. Although Kurl-on hasn't responded to inquiries, Ogilvy issued this statement: 

"We deeply regret this incident and want to apologize to Malala Yousafzai and her family. We are investigating how our standards were compromised in this case and will take whatever corrective action is necessary."

Discussion Starters: 

• How do Kurl-on and Ogilvy share responsibility for the ad? How did this happen? 
• The ad was created in Ogilvy's Indian office and produced in a Chilean studio. How, if at all, do these facts affect your thinking about the ad?

TripAdvisor Fined for Fake Reviews

The Italian Competition Authority is fining TripAdvisor 500,000 euros (about $610,000) for failing to prevent fake reviews on its site. The regulator responded to complaints by consumers and hotel owners and accused TripAdvisor of misrepresenting the site as "authentic and genuine" by posting false "defamatory" reviews. 

TripAdvisor disputed the ruling, saying that their fraud detectors and technology are "extremely effective in protecting consumers from the small minority of people who try to cheat our system," and "We firmly believe that TripAdvisor is a force for good - both for consumers and the hospitality industry."

The story reminds me of software developed at Cornell for spotting deceptive reviews. After it was trained, the software identified fake reviews 90% of the time compared to humans, who were successfully only 50% of the time. 

Image source. 

Discussion Starters: 

• What responsibility, if any, should TripAdvisor have for fake reviews on its site? 
• Can you spot the fake review? 

Columbia Journalism Investigates Rolling Stone UVA Article

Rolling Stone is taking a new approach to verify its controversial article about rape at the University of Virginia. As the fraternity disputed the article, and some facts were questioned by The Washington Post, Rolling Stone admitted failings and apologized.

Now, Rolling Stone has asked the Columbia School of Journalism to conduct an independent review of the report. Two deans will lead the investigation and have been promised complete access to the magazine's staff and documentation. 

PR News assessed the strategy:

"From a communications standpoint, Rolling Stone's decision is an interesting one. For the University of Virginia, this episode is still very much an open wound, and people in and around Charlottesville want answers to what (if anything) the article had right and what went wrong. An internal review, a common crisis management tactic, would seem less credible to those looking for real answers to what happened with the story. 

"The decision to have Columbia handle the inquiry has people talking about the bungled report once more, and when the report comes out the magazine will face the specter of further criticism. While the independent review will not excuse the debacle entirely, by submitting itself to the scrutiny of a highly regarded journalism school, Rolling Stone is again acknowledging its fallibility and desire to get the story right, even at the expense of more bad press."

Image source.

Discussion Starters: 

• What's your view of Rolling Stone's approach? Do you agree with PR News? 
• What are the risks of this strategy?

Putin and Others Laugh at Stroke Survivor

A reporter at Vladimir Putin's press conference slurred his question, and Putin joked and laughed, as did other reporters. The Russian leader didn't know that Vladimir Mamatov had survived several strokes. 

The reporter asked why supermarketers don't stock kvas, a popular Russian alcoholic drink. In the middle of the reporter's question, Putin said, "I get the feeling you might have been at the kvas already."

People who knew Mamatov's medical history set the record straight. 

I see no reports of Putin apologizing for the incident.  

Discussion Starters: 

• What's the lesson for others leading press conferences? 
• Should Putin apologize or issue a statement? If so, what should he say? 

Social Media Insults

A New York Times blog post tries to make sense of insults on social media. The writer describes one situation:

"In one, Im-ani Gandy, a lawyer and legal analyst, describes the harassment she receives on Twitter this way: 'The hate-filled invective spewed by the dregs of society awaits you in your notifications. It's personal and there's no avoiding it.' In her five years on Twitter, she says, she has been called the N-word so many times that 'it barely registers as an insult anymore.'"

Apparently, few of us are safe. Forty-percent of people have experienced some type of harassment on social media. 

In a blog post, Twitter announced new ways to manage online abuse. The site is making reporting harassment easier and has implemented a blocking mechanism. The company also acknowledges there's more work to be done:

"We are nowhere near being done making changes in this area. In the coming months, you can expect to see additional user controls, further improvements to reporting and new enforcement procedures for abusive accounts. We'll continue to work hard on these changes in order to improve the experience of people who encounter abuse on Twitter." 

Sites such as Yik Yak aren't helping. With the tagline, "Share your thoughts and keep your privacy on Yik Yak," the site allows people to post anonymous comments about people around them. 

But a group of Colgate professors flooded the site with positive comments. Tired of reading insults that are dividing the campus, Geoff Holm, an associate professor of biology, said, "If we have opinions, it's important to own them." Rather than posting anonymously, professors sign their names. I must admit that some of the Yik Yak posts are quite clever. But the insulting ones are not funny at all. 

Discussion Starters:

• Do you post anonymously online? Why? How, if at all, does the anonymity affect your posts?
• What's your view of the Colgate professors' approach to Yik Yak? Will it make a difference?

Rolling Stone Is Sorry for Its Apology

After its article about rape at the University of Virginia, Rolling Stone has made a couple of apologies. The article described a gang rape at a fraternity and other issues of sexual assault on campus. Since it was published, the Washington Post found some discrepancies in the story.

In a statement, the fraternity disputed some of the allegations and connections. They denied having a social event during the weekend in question, found no member of the fraternity working where the victim claims to have met him, and affirmed its commitment to the university's code regarding pledge initiation: 

"Third, our Chapter's pledging and initiation periods, as required by the University and Inter-Fraternity Council, take place solely in the spring semester and not in the fall semester. We document the initiation of new members at the end of each spring. Moreover, no ritualized sexual assault is part of our pledging or initiation process. This notion is vile, and we vehemently refute this claim."

Rolling Stone Managing Editor Will Dana responded, at first, rather strongly.

"In the face of new information, there now appear to be discrepancies in Jackie's account, and we have come to the conclusion that our trust in her was misplaced. We were trying to be sensitive to the unfair shame and humiliation many women feel after a sexual assault and now regret the decision to not contact the alleged perpetrators to get their account. We are taking this seriously and apologize to anyone who was affected by the story."

Subsequently, the magazine issued a statement describing its reporting process in more detail and expressing regret for granting the victim's request to not speak with the alleged assailants. The tone is softer and accepts more of the responsibility rather than blaming Jackie's trustworthiness: "These mistakes are on Rolling Stone, not on Jackie."

Letters and articles in UVA's Cavalier Daily give us a window into discussions on campus about the story.

Discussion Starters:

• After reading the Rolling Stone and Washington Post articles, what's your view of the story? How
• Read a few letters and articles in Cavalier Daily. How do these shape your thinking about the Rolling Stone story?

Staffer Resigns After Comments About Obama Girls

A Republican staffer made negative comments about President Obama's teenage girls, apologized, and resigned. Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for a Tennessee representative, posted on her Facebook page during the annual White House turkey-pardoning event:

"Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you're both in those awful teen years, but you're a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don't respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I'm guessing you're coming up a little short in the ‘good role model' department. Nevertheless, stretch yourself. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don't make faces during televised public events."

Video of the event shows the girls at the president's side during his speech and the traditional turkey-pardoning.

A Forbes writer criticized Lauten, noting that the event is silly, and the girls acted as expected: as awkward teenagers embarrassed by their father's "dad-jokes." Elisa Doucette also questioned Lauten's apology.

 According to Doucette, this would have been a better apology:

I wanted to take a moment and apologize to Sasha and Malia Obama for a post I made on Facebook earlier today judging them at the annual White House turkey pardoning ceremony:

When I first posted on Facebook I reacted to an article and I quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager. After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and re-reading my words online I can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were. Please know, those judgmental feelings truly have no place in my heart. Furthermore, I'd like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended with my words, and I pledge to learn and grow (and I assure you I have) from this experience.

Discussion Starters:

• After watching the video, what's your view of the girls' behavior? Are Lauten's comments justified?
• Compare Doucette's revised apology to Lauten's. What differences do you notice? What principles of business communication does Doucette suggest?

Old Navy's Plus-Sized Clothing Policy

Responding to criticism, Old Navy has changed its policy for returning plus-sized clothing but not its pricing. Renee Posey posted a complaint and started a Change.org petition because the company is upcharging for larger women's clothes but not men's.

Gap, Old Navy's parent company, issued this statement:

To Renee Posey and our valued Old Navy customers: 

Recently, important questions were raised about Old Navy's women's plus size line, which has given us an opportunity to hear invaluable feedback from our customers. What we've heard from you has inspired us. We'd like to keep the conversation going. 

There's a lot of room for improvement in the way plus-size clothes are designed and marketed throughout the industry-at-large. At Old Navy, a significant amount of work is invested in making sure plus-size women feel beautiful and on-trend at a price they can afford when they wear our label. Not many apparel brands can say that they've had a dedicated plus size line for as long as we have (since 1994). But, we always want to learn and see how we can improve. 

Today, it starts with doing more. We will do a better job communicating the value we provide to plus-size customers and begin forging a stronger relationship with customers. As a result of customer feedback, we are updating our policy to allow in-store returns of women's plus size clothes, starting December 5. We also hear loud and clear that Old Navy needs to be better about engaging with our plus size customers. 

To that end, Old Navy will be forming a new customer panel to gather insights that will further enhance our plus size collections. This group, which will kick off in January, will focus on discussion, fashion brainstorming and product feedback directly to the Old Navy design and marketing teams. Meeting four times a year, they will test drive new Old Navy women's plus designs and serve as a sounding board for the Plus Design team. We are excited about the ways in which their input will enhance the Old Navy customer experience. 

Some of our customers have pointed out that our women's plus line is priced differently than our men's extended sizes line and they're right – it is. 

It's priced differently because it is different. We invest more in our product, and we're proud of what we deliver. 

Looking back, we have not done enough to celebrate what is unique and special about Old Navy's plus line. Thanks to the work of a dedicated plus design team – a rarity among our competitors -- we create patterns specifically for our women's plus size line to ensure the best fit and experience. 

The reality is that while our men's line is meant to provide affordable, fashion-forward options for various shapes, sizes and heights, men have different needs when it comes to fashion. Our men's line embraces the same values of fun, fashion and family, but our extended-size menswear is the exact same design and therefore the exact same price. 

We plan to continue to offer women's plus fashion essentials at accessible prices. 

Clothes are meant to be empowering, flattering and a way to express your personal style. Old Navy is proud of the clothes that we create for fashion-forward women of all sizes. 

Sincerely, 
Edie Kissko, Old Navy spokesperson

Although Old Navy didn't commit to changing its pricing, Posey posted a comment on Change.org calling the result a "success." At the same time, she acknowledged, "These are important first steps that will lead to the further changes we would like to see..." Following is the first paragraph, and the entire post is here. 

Hi Everyone!

When I started this petition a couple of weeks ago, I had no idea what it would lead to. I thought a few people who know me might sign and that would be that. With over 95 thousand supporters at the time of this writing, I think it's safe to say that the results have far exceeded my expectations! Read more.

Discussion Starters: 

• How convincing do you find Old Navy's response? Would you call it a "success"? Why or why not? 
• What's your view of the policy? Is it fair, unfair, or something in between?

University Presidents Respond to Sexual Assault Charges

University presidents are under pressure to respond to charges that they aren't doing enough about sexual assault. Following are two examples: University of Virginia and Lincoln University of Pennsylvania.

University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan wrote a letter after a Rolling Stone article criticized the university's response to a rape in a fraternity. The letter has since become one of many posted on the U.VA's website attempting to address anger and disappointment at Sullivan's response:

"UVA president Teresa Sullivan responded quickly, explaining, rather underwhelmingly, that her administration was 'marshaling all available resources to assist our students who confront issues related to sexual misconduct.' On Wednesday, Sullivan requested an investigation of a campus fraternity specifically mentioned in the original piece. But for many in the UVA community, this isn't enough."  (Slate)

Anger was fueled partly because the university appointed an investigator who is an alumnus of the fraternity.

A Chronicle article examined how Sullivan's second letter differed from her first. In a side-by-side comparison, the author compares Sullivan's defensiveness in the first letter to her acceptance in the second. In the first letter, she uses more "we" language; in the second, she seems to take more personal responsibility by using "I" more often. In the second letter, she identifies new steps the university is taking immediately. And in the second letter, she uses the term "rape," rather than "sexual assualt," "sexual misconduct," and "sexual violence." In later messages, she refers to "gang rape."

In related news, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania President Robert R. Jennings recently resigned when critics couldn't be appeased. During a convocation for female students, Jennings said, among other comments:

"Why am I saying all this, ladies? I'm saying this because, first and foremost, don't put yourself in a situation that would cause you to be trying to explain something that really needs no explanation had you not put yourself in that situation."

Discussion Starters: 

• What can crisis communicators learn from the U.Va. experience? 
• Read all of the communications on U.Va.'s web page about sexual assault. What else do you notice about tone and messaging?  
• What are your thoughts about the former Lincoln University president's comments? Did those who encouraged his resignation do the right thing?