By Marc Lo

Following the release of my name in The Northeastern News last week, I feel I owe the following explanation and apology to the Northeastern University community:

There is very little I need to correct or argue about in the article. Yes, I did breach my employment agreement, but otherwise, I did not commit a violation of the Student Code of Conduct (SCC).

To answer the question as to why I came forward, I offer an explanation of integrity. Integrity is adhering to your ethical and moral code. As someone that believes in rules, I could not forgive what I had done that evening and was thoroughly upset with myself for having broken my word. I informed my supervisor of the situation out of a sense of honor and duty to her and to the office for which I have worked since my freshman year. I believed it was necessary for me to set the example of holding myself accountable for my actions be fore anyone else.

Had I not turned in a list of names of those that were also present and actually violating the SCC, my integrity would not have been fulfilled as a university official, leader and a supervisor. I was bound by my agreements with this institution to uphold its values and was forced to do so after committing a breach in them myself. Doing so was not an easy task, given that I myself am still an undergraduate student and as such the Orientation Leaders were not only my charges, but my peers.

In the numerous roles I have assumed at this university, there has always been a delicate balance between friend and supervisor. Unfortunately, this one time, I crossed too far over the line to the friend side and had to bounce back over to that of supervisor. I still care immensely for the Orientation Leaders, and trust you to believe me that I made my decisions in their best interests as their leader.

I would like to take the time to apologize to those around campus that at one point held me in high regard and no longer do so. I am sorry that I have damaged your perception of me. It is my hope that you know me well enough to understand the breach of my employment agreement that occurred is not in my character. I have always tried to do the right thing, and will continue to do so. What occurred that evening was a slip in judgment that I have tried to excuse but cannot justify. I thoroughly regret what happened, and I ask you to trust that it will not happen again. I would also encourage you to seek me out for further discussion and/or explanation of what I have done.

I also apologize to those not involved for tearing down your leadership. Please understand it is better to have leaders of integrity than to have you misrepresented by people who cannot adhere to the standards to which they hold others.

— Marc Lo is a senior communication studies major.