Read the email sent by E. Gordon Gee
Identify which one of the three general purposes of public communication (to inform, to persuade, to entertain) that E. Gordon Gee uses in his email. Explain your answer using 3-5 pieces of evidence from the email.
Based on your answer to (1), identify E. Gordon Gee’s specific purpose (E. Gordon Gee was informing WVU community members about ____; E. Gordon Gee was persuading WVU community members to _____; or E. Gordon Gee was entertaining WVU community members by ____). Explain your answer using 3-5 pieces of evidence from the email.
In 2-3 sentences, explain why it is important for an audience to be able to identify the purpose of a speech/email/essay/etc.
Dear Students, Colleagues, Alumni and Friends:
Today I met with the chiefs of police from Morgantown and the University,
along with fire officials, the city manager, and West Virginia University
and student leaders concerning the unacceptable and destructive
behavior that occurred Saturday night following our football team’s
outstanding win over a highly-ranked Baylor team.
We all are extremely disappointed, frustrated and angry that a minority of
students, and others who joined in, diverted the attention from the team’s
achievement to inexcusable and lawless actions.
This is not how Mountaineers behave. And we will not condone such
behavior by allowing individuals to remain on our campus who demean
the reputation and achievements of our faculty, staff, students, alumni
and community.
Let me be clear: This is criminal behavior and individuals involved in
setting fires, overturning trash bins or throwing objects at first
responders WILL be held accountable. There is zero tolerance for this
type of criminal and unruly behavior. Our Student Code of Conduct is
clear on these matters and so is the law. We currently are reviewing the
arrest records, as well as the videos and social media posts, to identify
students involved. For those identified as participating in criminal
activities, we will take swift and immediate disciplinary action – and for
many, that will result in expulsion from this institution.
8/3/2017 West Virginia University Mail – FW: WVU President Gee to University Family: ‘Time to take ourUniversity back’
University and City Police are also encouraging anyone who can further identify
any individual who was criminal or reckless to share that information with them,
along with any social postings or photos by calling (304) 293-COPS.
Let me state again that participation in criminal activities will result in immediate
consequences. We will have zero tolerance for such behavior. But as we deal
with the situation at hand, we also must look and move forward.
As Mountaineers, all of us MUST insist on a safe, healthy environment in and out
of the classroom for our students. To do this, we must change the culture of West
Virginia University. We must collectively – students, faculty, staff, alumni and
fans – reject the reputation of our past and instill and embrace the reputation
that is our future. And to do that, we must do four things.
First, we must engage students as our partners. Most were equally outraged and
concerned at the actions of Saturday night – actions that do not accurately
represent the student body as a whole. We have bright, capable student leaders
on our campus who can help inform University leadership how to implement
effective change. Today I met with many of our student leaders and they have
been charged with creating solutions that will positively affect the culture at West
Virginia University. We need and value their leadership.
Second, we will expect everyone to take personal responsibility for their actions.
From students to alumni to fans, those who celebrate irresponsibly affect not only
their futures, but also the future of this University and its reputation on a national
scale. Those students who act in criminal behavior will be removed from this
institution. Others who act irresponsibly will face disciplinary measures. As a
member of the West Virginia University family, each one of us represents this
institution. I ask that you remember that your actions reflect upon this University
and its reputation. Let us each always put our best foot forward – and help remind
others to do the same.
8/3/2017 West Virginia University Mail – FW: WVU President Gee to University Family: ‘Time to take ourUniversity back’
Third, we will continue to examine the national crisis of alcohol abuse
among our young people. The University has many programs and
activities in place to support our students, and those must continue. We
must also continue to work with our city leaders to make this a
community-wide partnership in caring for the health and well-being of our
students and community. The issue of underage drinking and abusive
behavior is a broad and challenging one. But in a spirit of cooperation,
we can begin to create the necessary conversations and partnerships
that will have a positive impact on our students and our community as a
whole.
And fourth, our Mountaineer family needs to envision our future as an
institution. We need to support this institution in our words and in our
actions. Your input as to strategies we can implement to take this
institution to a level of eminence is critical. I am proud to report that on
Sunday our students started a social media campaign centered around
being a respectful Mountaineer (#Respectful Mountaineer). I have been
impressed with the response, but we need to do more. I encourage you
to send me your thoughts and ideas as to how we as a campus
community can actively support the change needed to help West Virginia
University rise.
And that is what we will do: we will rise above this. Just as our fine
football players and coaches did on Saturday to accomplish a truly
electric and spectacular moment in our team’s history, we will work
together to raise this institution and our community to a new level.
It is time to take our University back.
E. Gordon Gee
President, West Virginia University
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=b00eb102b7&jsver=1KukmJVEMCA.en.&view=pt&search=inbox&th=15da3a97038ae432&siml=15da3a970… 4/4
