Wikipedia:Peer review/Stephen C. O'Connell/archive1

Stephen C. O'Connell

This peer review discussion has been closed.
I've listed this article for peer review because I would like to upgrade it to Good Article status.

Thanks, Dirtlawyer1 (talk) 18:28, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

Brianboulton comments:

• Alt text requested for both images. I have reduced these in size (350px tends to overwhelm the text).
• In August 2009 you posted a six-point list on the talkpage, requesting further details in various areas. It is not clear what, if any, extra information was forthcoming, and as a result the article still looks rather thin. Were you able to expand the article, and if so in what areas?
• Sources: all the cited sources are from University of Florida publications or websites. The two additional boooks listed in the bibliography, not cited in the article, are also University publications. From so narrow a base it is hard to be convinced that the article is an objective and neutral account. As a public figure, and one-time state Supreme Court judge, there is surely material in the form of press reports, articles in journals, legal publications etc, that can help give substance to the biographical picture.
• There are several statements of an opinionated nature which are uncited, e.g. "On balance, O'Connell's administration did much to further integrate African-Americans into the mainstream of the University of Florida's academic life." Where is the objective support for this statement? Likewise: "O'Connell began a reversal of policy and attitudes among many state legislators and academics who had previously opposed large-scale private fund-raising and endowment of the Florida's public universities."
• There is a large hiatus in the article – the lack of any explanation of O'Connell's retirement from the University at the relatively early age of 57, after a mere six years in office. Why did he go? Was he driven out? There must be a story here, and the article looks shorn without it.
• A very small point: is it common US practice to refer to university presidents in the style "President O'Connell"? Perhaps within their institutions, but surely not in the world outside?

In short, I am inclined to agree with your own apparent August assessment, that the article still needs considerable further input before it can be considered a viable GA candidate. I am not watching my peer reviews at the moment (too many), but if you have any queries on this review please contact my talkpage. Brianboulton (talk) 16:56, 5 March 2010 (UTC)