Doing what’s right

Yesterday I realized an organization within my university made a grievous error that affected more than 50 students, including myself.

I cancelled the day’s plans, of which there were many, to research the story and conduct interviews. And then it dawned on me: I couldn’t write the story.

Damn.

It would be unethical for me to write the story because I’m affected by it. So, I’ve handed over all I’ve got to both my school paper and The Charlotte Observer. I’m sure my school paper will run a story on their website, NinerOnline.com, though I’m not sure when. I don’t know if the Observer will do anything.

In the end, my snooping around and calling a long list of people in high places may have saved several of my fellow students thousands of dollars. Besides the people involved and the few who read this blog, no one will ever know, though.

It feels good to think I made a difference. It feels good to know I did the right thing, both by following the trail of this injustice and by giving up the story when I realized I shouldn’t write it.

In a way it’s a shame; it’s a good story and I would have loved to have my name on it.

In a bigger way, it’s the best thing that’s happened all week.