I am responding to the Jan. 6 Western Front article about Karen Copetas, an administration official at Western, being let go from staff.
It is unfortunate to hear a faculty member at Western is even under questioning about conduct in the workplace, including misdirection of federal money and treatment of students during the hiring process. If both of the accusations are correct, it should be easy enough to let go of someone who has held their responsibility to a university in such a way.
As an admissions director, one has a great responsibility in creating fairness and equality for all applicants. But, if an internal audit uncovered her giving away financial aid for common interests, there should not even be a question of if she should be here or not. Seeing that most students struggle to find any sort of aid, it should be all-important to her to help deserving students attend Western.
Her misuse, if the accusation is correct, should be looked at as a complete irresponsibility to the students under her mercy, and I struggle to find any justification for such behavior.
However, the article is vague in the sense that it seems both sides are hiding something about the issue. As a student, I feel it is important to be rightfully informed on how faculty members act on behalf of your education, and they should be held accountable for misdoings to any student, especially if financial aid and admissions equality is in question.
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