 |
|
| Let freedom wait one more week? |
Casey Robinson
Sophomore
CR46572 |
To
The Editor:
The Bill of Rights in the Appalachian State University
Student Government Association constitution states that each student
has “the freedom to express his or her opinion(s), both publicly
as well as privately, on such subjects additionally be guaranteed
freedom from the imposition of the opinions or beliefs of others.”
If I have the freedom to express my opinions, then why am I not
allowed to properly practice my religion in the privacy of my residence
hall room? Tuesday, members from the campus American Civil Liberties
Union, Pagan Student Association and Jewish Student Association
showed support of a bill scheduled to be voted on that would secure
my freedom to worship as I please.
As a Pagan, I am offended that I am not allowed to use candles on
campus and in my room as I feel necessary. I believe candles are
as important to my religion as the Bible is to Christianity.
This legislation was not voted on because the SGA Rules Committee
did not research the bill. Therefore I must wait another week to
secure my religious freedoms on campus. The chair of the committee
said he did not feel this legislation was important enough to vote
on tonight, and it could wait another week.
I am outraged that someone who has probably never experienced outright
religious discrimination can say that my freedom can wait a week.
I ask the students of this campus, if the American constitution
and SGA constitution is so important to our patriotism, why is it
considered OK that I wait “just one more week?”
|
 |
| Administrators chose not to help |
S. Daniel Carter
Senior Vice President
Security On Campus, Inc.
(865) 693-4316 |
To
The Editor:
We are disappointed that administrators at Appalachian
have chosen not to work with us in our efforts to help the Committee
for Integrity at Appalachian (CIA) obtain federal grant funding
for their work to combat the problem of sexual assault. Security
On Campus, Inc., however, remains committed to working with the
CIA and Appalachian State University to address this critical issue.
University Police Chief Gunther Doerr’s comments in Tuesday’s
The Appalachian, however, that SOC “has not been fair in their
past dealings with other colleges” must be put in proper context.
No college that we have partnered with to develop educational programming,
including Michigan State University and New Jersey’s Rowan
University, has ever expressed any problems with us.
As in this case we would prefer to work with schools so that no
sexual assault, or other crime of violence happens on campus, and
if it does that there is a prompt, proper response. However, many
victims come to us after they have been assaulted, and their school
has fallen short. When this happens we must respond, and if a school
is reluctant to make things right, strongly encourage them to do
so. Understandably this isn’t always popular, but it is both
fair, and the right thing to do.
We were very pleased with the commitment of the good people we have
met at Appalachian, including Mr. Doerr, and still hope that we
will be able to work with each of them to help better respond to
campus sexual assault.
|
|
| Better public relations, cooperation |
Dave Haney
Chair, department of English
haneydp |
To
The Editor:
This is in response to Joy Marschall’s letter
in Tuesday’s The Appalachian about professors’ unwillingness
to cooperate with a survey for a public relations class that had
been distributed to department chairs.
When I received the surveys and the directions, I found the tone
of the letter somewhat inappropriate—I was basically instructed
to have the surveys completed and then told to make the completed
surveys available to the student who would pick them up.
Department chairs get many, many requests to complete surveys, and
in most cases a request asks us if we will participate; it doesn’t
just assume we will.
I did distribute the surveys, but only after I discussed this issue
with the representative from the class who came to pick them up.
In other words, better public relations would probably have resulted
in more cooperation.
I think most professors, including department chairs, are in fact
eager to encourage learning that goes on outside the classroom—including
lessons about public relations.
|
|
| Chancellor did not influence election |
Jamey Messick
ASU Box 14587 |
To
The Editor:
I have never felt a strong need to speak my mind
on the topic of the Student Government Association, though I have
attended meetings and spoken to senators.
The cartoon that ran in Tuesday’s issue of The Appalachian
has made me decide that it is time for a student to speak their
mind about some things. To imply that Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski
influenced the outcome of the SGA election is a blatant lie.
I have been on this campus for three years, and I have witnessed
many changes on this campus. One thing I have seen repeatedly is
H. Dustin Bayard and his political workings in SGA.
I have watched as students who attended an SGA meeting to support
a fraternity brother who was up for a cabinet position were asked
by Bayard why they even showed up.
I have watched Bayard accuse these students of using “gang
tactics” by simply showing support for their friend.
The STUDENT Government Association meetings were open to all who
wished to attend the last time I checked.
I also watched as simple debates were blown up to the point where
Bayard had to be asked to leave SGA meetings.
A nearly 200-point difference in the SGA election should be a sign
that the students chose not to elect Bayard, not the chancellor.
I think it is about time people realize that the students pay attention
and know about what is going on.
Everything in this world is not a political conspiracy.
|
|
|
 |
 |
