My words shouldn't be filling this space. Those of you who are regular readers of Robin Sinhababu's Tuesday column likely have noted that already.
But I recently made the decision to terminate Sinhababu's tenure as a columnist for The Daily Tar Heel, and I owe our readers an explanation.
The paper's Conflict of Interest Policy has been a guiding document for all DTH staff members, from the newest hire to the most seasoned member of the paper's management team, since time immemorial.
A fundamental element of this policy, the first of 12 points included in the document this year, addresses participation in student government.
From the start, it's plainly worded: "No staff member may participate on any of student government's three branches or in any administrative capacity."
Though the policy also covers staff participation in news events, membership in other campus groups and behavior during student elections, it is the rule relating to student government that I've recently had to act upon.
Sinhababu is involved with the Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee, a group created by Student Congress legislation. At tonight's meeting of Student Congress, his appointment to the position of chairman of this committee is up for approval.
I was left in the dark about this involvement, unaware of it until a staff member brought a Congress agenda with Sinhababu's name on it to my attention.
In response, I was angry, frustrated and saddened. Angry that a columnist who had sat in on discussions of the Conflict of Interest Policy hadn't thought to ask me if his dual commitments were an issue. Frustrated that I didn't know every involvement of staff members of this paper. And saddened that I was going to have to fire someone for a mistake that could have been so easily averted.