Elon’s decision about CFA misrepresented in media organizations

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Thursday Elon University’s Student Government Association voted 35-11 in favor of a proposed resolution against Chick-fil-A’s presence in the Lakeside Dining Hall on campus. The move has attracted attention from national and media organizations, but has not accurately represented the resolution and the university’s rationale for voting in favor of the student-authored legislation.

National media organizations have published articles that indicate Elon University has severed ties with Chick-fil-A because of COO Dan Cathy’s views on gay marriage. The Charlotte Observer ran the Associated Press story that incorrectly stated “A North Carolina university’s student government has voted to ban a Chick-fil-A restaurant on campus because the fast-food chain’s president is against gay marriage” and reported in error that Duke University has cut ties with the restaurant because of president Dan Cathy’s anti-gay rhetoric.

Since the initial publication, the organization has ran a correction informing Duke University’s business relations terminated because of renovations, but the lead still attributes Elon SGA’s decision to Cathy’s position regarding gay marriage.

In actuality, the resolution developed because Chick-fil-A’s charitable branch, Winshape, donates to anti-gay groups.

Despite the vote in favor of the resolution, SGA does not represent the university’s final decision regarding the establishment’s presence on campus. Darien Flowers, SGA executive president, can veto the vote, and the ultimate decision rests with Elon’s senior staff.

More accurate information regarding Elon’s relationship with Chick-fil-A has also appeared in the Huffington Post and The Business Journal.

We challenge you to be mindful of what is published about your university and challenge incorrect information.

  • Jack A.

    Telling people to examine coverage from “The Huffington Post” to get more accurate information is about like telling them to watch “Fox News” on Cable to get accurate information on who won the presidential debate? “The Business Journal” article is factually correct, because it is brief and non-specific. However, the student body should still be questioning the nature of the “$5 million” in what Spectrum deems “anti-gay” in the legislation. The student body should be questioning what Spectrum’s sources were to gather this information. The student body should question how much money was given to each of the 4 groups specifically mentioned in the legislation. (FYI…American Family Association received $0). I am proud that you have discovered that sometimes when statements are made, the media twists them the way they want. GUESS WHAT?? The same thing happened to Chick FilA!!! AMAZING!!!! The legislation contains unfactual information about the $5 million, “anti-gay” needs to be defined, American Family Association needs to be removed from the legislation, and a re-vote may be in order that’s based on facts, not emotional rhetoric.

    • Jack A.

      Except in reverse on the Fox News analogy as far as liberal/conservative bias. I was using it to show contrast also. (Just want to clarify). Either way, there’s incorrect factual information in the legislation. Unless a clear definition of “anti-gay” is being given. (In which case, SGA should be allowed to evaluate if that’s a fair definition). However, the perception that $5 million was given to organizations such as Focus on the Family ($12,500), Family Research Council($3,000), American Family Association ($0), and Exodus International($2,000)when the total for those is $17,500 is misleading. Also, what should be considered is that in each of those years Chick FilA accounted for less than HALF of the total contributions to Winshape, so to determine “Chick FilA’s portion” you’d have to split those numbers in half. Beyong that….there is hevy debate on whether the causes are as “anti-gay” as the public may perceive. FACTS, not rhetoric.

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