UTV will air apology for 'Pig Penn'

The apology will be part of the punishment handed down by Judicial Inquiry Officer Constance Goodman later this week for the show, which was criticized as "offensive and blatantly dehumanizing" even by station officials. President Sheldon Hackney called for a JIO investigation of the show one week after its October 2 premiere, asking Goodman to pay particular attention to the section of the show where hosts identified freshmen women by name and picture in the Freshman Record. Also during the 45-minute show, the co-hosts split a bottle of tequila, showed pictures of nude women and men and discussed oral sex in explicit detail. The co-hosts, who also produced the show, were fired by the UTV Executive Board the night after the show aired. Goodman said last night she would have a ruling on the case by the end of the week, but declined to comment further about the completion of her investigation, saying she could not comment without permission of the students involved. Rothstein was not available for comment, and Fumo changed his phone number after the show aired. UTV Station Manager-elect Kirk Marcolina said last night Rothstein contacted him less than two weeks ago, saying the JIO will require that he and Fumo tape an apology to be aired over UTV as part of his punishment. Marcolina said he talked with Goodman yesterday about the specific requirements of the apology and other measures the campus station, which can only be received in Superblock, must make. Marcolina, who was UTV Production Manager during the incident, said he would also receive a letter of reprimand from the JIO "to make UTV managers -- including myself -- aware of how important our responsibilities are." Marcolina said the letter would not appear on his permanent record. Marcolina said Goodman approved of subsequent policy changes UTV enacted which prohibits alcohol on the set, establishes stricter requirements for producers to receive approval for a new show, and requires a member of the UTV executive board to sit in on the taping of a new show. Marcolina also said representatives from UTV would apologize to University Council, where President Hackney called for the JIO investigation, and would explain the station's revised policies. Marcolina said last night he has learned a great deal from the incident. "I think personally I have learned a lesson because the way UTV is run -- it's a very laid-back organization and we usually allow, and still allow, a lot of leeway," Marcolina said. "Now I realize there are certain points where management must step in." Goodman said she completed her investigation nearly a month ago and has been working on a resolution since. She said that for her investigation, she interviewed Marcolina and Station Manager Diane Rekstad and viewed the show on tape. Marcolina said he explained to Goodman how Fumo and Rothstein outlined the show to him as well as background about the station itself.

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