Engineering students purged unfairly
I am writing this letter to uncover a recent unfair purge after the drop date that left many students, all electrical or computer engineering majors, hanging dry. We took the “weed-out” class Circuits 1 last semester. This class requires a C or better to pass. We, unfortunately, were part of the approximately 50 percent of students who received a D, F or W in this class.
The official policy is this course has to be repeated, and no other EE courses that follow this prerequisite can be scheduled. We all knew it had to be repeated, but we believed a D was good enough to move on to other classes while taking Circuits I over. This is a common belief, since this practice has been done in both the EE and Math Departments for years. I am always a skeptical person, so I visited the electrical engineering undergraduate adviser to verify I could move on. I was sure he would not let me; however, he determined I knew enough relevant material and let me schedule. This adviser was in charge of approving prerequisites and decides who can get into a class. I thought it was settled, but I was mistaken.
Two weeks into this semester (on the final date to add courses), I, along with others, was informed I was being purged from my EE classes. It did not matter who had approved us. We were told the college had decided the practice of continuing on without the proper grades had to stop because the college was up for an accreditation review in the near future. Therefore, we, students who are trying to maintain TOPS, were left scrambling for whatever classes we could get in the little time we had left. I view this as a blunt attempt by the College of Engineering to save face and evidence that they do not care about the students. The college cannot blame us for this mistake. I did my part by seeing the adviser.
What next? Do I need to get approval from the dean now?
Patrick Allen
Junior — Electrical Engineering
Come ‘Celebrate Louisiana’ with SG
This is your week to celebrate Louisiana. Every day this week, you can attend a different event that highlights Louisiana’s past, present and bright future. Please make plans to join us as we highlight Louisiana’s economy Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Union International Room, Louisiana education Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Union Magnolia Room, Louisiana arts on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Louisiana festivals on Friday at 4 p.m. in Free Speech Alley. Free movies will be shown in the Union Magnolia Room Tuesday night at 6 p.m. and Thursday night at 8 p.m. Friday’s festival will feature free gumbo and jambalaya, while supplies last, and Rockin Doopsie and the Zydeco Twisters.
All events have been sponsored and organized by your Student Government. If you have any questions or information about any of the events, please call the Student Government office or visit the Student Government Web site.
We hope you will join us in this week of education and celebration.
Darrell Broussard
Senior — Mass Communication & ISDS
Student Body President
Column had weak support for war
I am writing this letter in response to Korey Harvey’s column titled “Already at War.” In his attempt to provide the reader with substantial evidence for war on Iraq, Harvey unintentionally bombards the reader with useless information that fails to establish any “real” reason for combat.
He starts off by announcing how successful the United States has been in impoverishing Iraq. Should we consider impoverishing an entire nation a successful accomplishment? I also would like to point out there have been no links made between Iraq and the al-Qaida responsible for Sept. 11. It would seem only logical we go to war with Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Kuwait. Citizens of these countries have been responsible for more American casualties in the last two years than Iraq.
Speaking of Sept. 11, what ever happened to Osama bin Laden? Throughout the column, Harvey stresses the absurd idea that the goal of war in Iraq is to benefit the United States. However, this act falls within the definition of military imperialism and not only goes against the rules of the World Court, but also throws every ounce of morals and ethics right out the window.
On the subject of terrorism, one must not forget in the 1980s the United States supported the regime in Iraq, allowing it to buy stockpiles of weapons. This was done because the United States wanted Hussein to “control” Ayatollah Khomeini, a fanatical religious Muslim leader who ousted the U.S. backed Shah of Iran.
There currently are more than 120,000 American troops lining the border of Iraq. There has been serious talk these troops will engage in urban warfare or door-to-door combat. Military data shows this will result in 50 percent American casualties. That is 60,000 dead Americans: friends, family and fellow classmates who we never will see again, not to mention the death of thousands of innocent Iraqis.
So the next time you think about stopping terrorism, think about those terrifying statistics and ask yourself one question. Are we as a country stopping the spread of terrorism or finding excuses to justify this nation’s imperialistic policies?
Stephen Carbaugh
Sophomore — Biological Sciences