Video Homeroom Can Entertain and Inform

April 18th, 2002


Just over one year ago, then-Student Union presidential candidate Jukay Hsu ran on a platform emphasizing better communications-about SU events, positions, and student activities. As President, Hsu delivered on his promise of increasing communication between the SU and the student body.

The issue now is that the device-video homeroom-is no longer communicating.

Video Homeroom, originally used for broadcasting Stuyvesant news has become a variety showcase for Stuyvesant's admittedly talented video artists. While these programs are very entertaining and popular, the program's original purpose is being sadly neglected. In several instances the announcements made by clubs and pubs were short afterthoughts placed after lengthy comical pieces. The Video Homeroom staff must meet the challenge of producing segments that are original and entertaining, but that also inform. If this is done, the program could become one of the most effective tools of the SU.

Unfortunately, complaints from a few faculty members over the use of a religious slogan may prevent Video Homeroom from achieving its full potential. In a recent meeting with the Video Homeroom staff, Principal Stanley Teitel set guidelines for reviewing the segment the Monday before it airs-a requirement members of the video staff said would harm their ability to cover news and events in a timely manner.

If the administration does request prior review of Video Homeroom, it's imperative that its involvement be kept to a minimum, less the production be needlessly delayed and altered. A similar policy of prior review was once applied to The Spectator under former Principal Jinx Perullo, and was a detriment to the paper's quality, timeliness, and content. We hope Video Homeroom will not face a similar plight.

However, the administration's action might not have been a total loss for the program. During the meeting with the video staff members, Teitel suggested that they do a feature on intolerance in Stuy, a piece that Max Kendrick of the Video Homeroom crew is eager to start shooting. Such programming is the right step in producing material that is both informative and of much interest to the school community.