Diversity classes should not be mandatory for allI understand the concern of individuals that feel threatened by the actions of a few close-minded individuals. Having a class that teaches diversity is a fantastic idea, but requiring such a class on top of the already mandatory work load would be irresponsible and unnecessary. I have faith in Chancellor James Oblinger. He will see the necessity of offering a class on diversity and recommending it to incoming students. Oblinger will also have the good judgment to have the newly created diversity class as a mandatory requirement for individuals that display discriminatory behavior, i.e. making racist displays in the Free Expression Tunnel or chalking. After all, we must remember discrimination is a learned behavior.Craig Pahljunior, historyAntoinette Russell’s expectations too highI was extremely disappointed by the “princess” who wrote the article about lost chivalry on our bus system.  I am sorry your life is so hard. Maybe instead of carrying your books you could wear a backpack. Thousands of us do it.  Maybe if texting is so hard while holding on the rails, maybe you could wait until you get off. Maybe make a playlist if managing your iPod is too troublesome.  I’ll give up my seat for you, but I won’t hold your crap while you text somebody. I have given my seat up for several ladies this year (and have seen several other men do the same), but most of time when I ask, I am politely refused. No problem. You are not “suffering” when you stand on the bus.  Get to the stop earlier if it’s that big of a deal. Woman are NOT the majority standing up on the bus every time. Better quality articles would be nice to read in this cold weather.Vince Taylorsophomore, engineeringSexism works both waysWith regard to Antoinette Russell’s Viewpoint article “Give up your bus seats, gentlemen,” I have to say that I’m completely appalled and sincerely hope that it was meant to be some kind of joke.  What she is proposing is sexism — not in the typical male dominance sense, but sexism nonetheless. Russell appears to believe that she is entitled to preferential seating on the bus simply by virtue of her gender and due to the terrible struggles that she (voluntarily) imposes on herself Ð “trying to hold onto a rail, listen to [her] iPod, send text messages, and hold [her] books.” If these activities are too much to handle while standing up, perhaps one could consider using a backpack, postponing texting until after the ride is over, or standing in silence, rather than demand undeserved preferential treatment.  Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I am under the impression that everyone — male and female — pays the same amount of student fees for the Transportation department. Subsequently, everyone has equal access to the services this department provides on a first come first serve basis and not on the basis of who does or does not have a Y chromosome.Obviously, it is a nice gesture if someone gives up their seat for you, however, no one is required, expected or obligated to do such a thing on the basis of something like gender. In fact, to make such demands is a step in the wrong direction for the female sex, showing an inability to handle your daily esponsibilities without needing constant attention. I’m sure women’s rights activists are rolling in their graves. Lauren Demanovichsophomore, sociology

Count your blessings, Ms. RussellAs a representative of the male gender, I’m taken aback by this sort of article. Being one of the men who would make a habit of giving up my seat or hold open a door, I would say that you are judging an entire group based on a few proverbial rotten apples, also known as stereotyping.I can’t say that all men are as “chivalric” as I am, but these gestures of chivalry should be considered privileges, not rights. Furthermore, I would imagine while your on your way to class at a first-class university, texting on your luxury phone, listening to an iPod that had to have cost at least $100 (but probably a lot more) and carrying textbooks that surely cost a pretty penny, that you have had more than a comfortable lifestyle.Instead of taking all of your material possessions for granted and finding more menial details to pick at in your daily experiences, I suggest you think of the ungodly amount of blessings you already have and take kind gestures from thoughtful men as a cherry on top.Taylor Muirsophomore, mechanical engineering