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E-mail sender admits to forgery

James Nash, former co-editorial page editor of The Michigan Daily, yesterday admitted responsibility for a forged e-mail falsely sent under the name of University President James Duderstadt.

The letter was sent to more than 70 University e-mail groups early Tuesday evening. It contained several uses of profanity and a threat to "declare the U-m (sic) invalid." It followed a long series of letters that began with the recirculation of a year-old racist e-mail.

"It wasn't a serious attempt to be (Duderstadt), but it was a misuse of his name," said Laurie Burns, associate director for customer relations with the Information Technology Division at the University.

Nash said he regrets the incident.

"I am deeply sorry to President Duderstadt and the University community for this embarrassment," Nash said.

Burns said Nash could face penalties for sending a message under a false name and for using the account of another person to post the message.

"Both of these things are considered to be fairly serious," Burns said. "They are policies that ITD abides by."

Lisa Baker, associate vice president for University relations, said Duderstadt has made no comment on the message.

"I know he is aware of it," Baker said.

Burns said Nash could face "various levels of disciplinary action." She said action could come from the ITD and "disciplinary policies that are under the Code of Student Conduct."

"I am in contact with Laurie Burns and await further word regarding any actions I should take to atone for my action," Nash said. "As for possible sanctions, it's too early to tell."

Baker said the e-mail will have no effect on the administration's relationship with the Daily.

Ronnie Glassberg, editor in chief of the Daily, said Nash offered to resign from his current position as copy desk editor early yesterday morning.

"Through contact with ITD and Daily staffers, we were able to determine that he had sent the message," Glassberg said.

Glassberg said the incident will not have a long-term impact on the Daily.

"While I am very upset by this incident, I don't think that this will have any adverse effects on the Daily," he said. "It was one member of our staff who made a mistake."