In the fall of 2025, and again following the recent Faculty Senate vote, I asked both Leder and Torgersen to comment on this editorial, and Torgersen offered the following responses to my questions.
“First, I think it’s important to note that, as a university, we are by necessity a very complex institution … This means that my experience of what people feel they can and cannot speak out about will be drastically different from that of someone employed elsewhere on campus,” Torgersen stated in the email. “In my time with CWU, I have never once felt compelled to silence through fear or intimidation. I’ve taken concerns and frustrations straight to the head of my department, where they’ve been met with an open mind and a listening ear, often resulting in change taking place,” Torgersen continued. “My perception is that CWU, as an employer, is keenly interested in learning and growing, and to that end, welcomes honest feedback at every level.” However, the previously discussed sentiment of fear and retaliation only grew stronger in my conversations with various staff and faculty about commenting on university issues. I’ve had experiences asking staff questions about simple, localized issues at Central that they didn’t feel comfortable answering because of the chance someone might not like their opinion about it. Two staff members and one faculty member have also denied or ignored interview requests in their school emails, only to then reach out personally, off school channels, to talk to me about how much they want to say but that they feel they never could because of how it might affect their careers at the university. When I started writing this editorial two quarters ago, I was working solely off the conversations and experiences I have had during my time as Editor-In-Chief of The Observer. But now, the recent grievances cited by the Faculty Senate have underscored what I have heard directly from faculty, staff and students. You can contact The Observer at cwuobserver@gmail.com. You can also personally reach me at bmattesichoc@gmail.com, and if you wish to speak anonymously, we remain open to hearing new perspectives. As stated in the Society for Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, we “reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere.” When we grant anonymity, we will always explain why it was granted.
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