In defense of affirmative action
I am deeply disturbed by the miseducation and misconceptions about affirmative action. Our President says admission policies should be “race-neutral,” but how can this be possible when our nation is not yet “race-neutral?”
In a nation that does not provide equal education to all races, there is no way to eliminate race from consideration when determining if a person is qualified for admission. I feel it is the University’s responsibility to maintain diversity. This doesn’t mean rejecting a qualified white applicant to accept a minority student. These are not “handouts” or “set asides.” The three plaintiffs in the University of Michigan case are essentially saying that the reason they did not get admitted to the university is because a person of color was given their place.
Rejection is hard, but placing blame on the university and students of color is not the answer. Our very president benefitted from affirmative action by gaining preference for being the son of a president and alumni, especially when he received mediocre grades. When a race of people was enslaved for centuries and oppressed for even more, how can you believe that race cannot be taken into consideration in higher education? People of color were not always afforded an education; therefore, there is a trickle down effect in our culture where people of color are at a disadvantage in terms of education. Not only should our universities work to make admissions fair without considering race in our society, but they should also promote diversity on campus so that they can produce qualified teachers that provide adequate instruction to all students.
Affirmative action is not quotas (which have been outlawed for 25 years), not reverse racism and definitely not a handout. Affirmative action is a set of policies that are in place to reverse the injustices that have plagued this country since its founding. It benefits all races, genders, religions, etc. Until this country is equal and the playing field is level, affirmative action will be necessary! I challenge students to read the many articles and books about the debate and make an educated conclusion before taking a stance.
Melody Robinson
Senior — Business Administration
President — LSU NAACP
Held classes frustrate scheduling student
As I strive to complete my education, I have one major pitfall — all the classes for my major are on hold. It is frustrating to know that the
psychology department makes it near impossible to schedule their courses. If I cannot get these classes soon, I will be unable to graduate on time. Is this the University’s plot to keep me and my money here forever? How do they expect me to meet the requirements of my major if the courses are unavailable? Something must be done because I know I’m not the only one with this dilemma.
Jennifer Barker
Junior — Psychology
All dorms should have desk assistants
I am thankful that the Department of Residential Life has decided to reopen all of the front desks in the residence halls to make the halls safer in this time of crisis. However, the Department has no plans right now to have those desks open next semester. That is a grave mistake on their part. Having a front desk for less than two months will not make a hall safer. The desk is only effective if it is open 24 hours all year long. A front desk puts someone in the hall to constantly monitor it. In the fall, five halls will lose their desks. Another five halls do not even have desks right now. Furthermore most of ECA’s buildings are not close to their desk, which was only open for a few hours a day. That will leave 11 out of 17 buildings without someone who can help the residents. If the desks were reopened to make residents safer, it makes sense to keep them open even after the serial killer is caught because there are people who can still pose a threat to the residents. While it is uncommon to hear about problems in the halls, they still exist. In the past few years, my hall has experienced peeping toms in the girls’ showers, a person repeatedly violating his restraining order to stay out of the hall, and a drug dealer who threatened to pistol-whip a resident assistant. If the Department of Residential Life really cares about its residents, they will keep all of the front desks open. So far the department has shown that safety is only more important than money when there is public outcry and prospective students are here for Spring Testing.
Phillip Westbank Brubaker
Senior — Mathematics
Great coverage on SG fashion trends
I just wanted to commend The Reveille on its wonderful election coverage. I know personally that I was tired of the old percentage reporting that we’ve done every semester before. Instead, this year we focused on what was really important … what the female candidates were wearing while campaigning! I know that those current fashion trends that graced the Quad and every intersection of pedestrian traffic on campus is much more important to me than who won. It even influences the way I vote (and how I dress)! As the campus’ information headquarters, I think you’ve finally figured out what the campus wants to read when they pick up the 28-page campus newspaper. So from now on, forget those frivolous wastes of pages that tell us who the leaders of SG will be next year and give us more of what readers want, In Style – LSU!
Leila Borazjani
Computer Engineering
Union fee a good idea, but misguided
I would like to start off by saying I was not opposed to a fee for improving the Union. I was opposed to the fee presented yesterday on the ballot. I do not get over to the Union much anymore, but I realize it is an important symbol for our University. I am simply against how the project is going to be implemented.
Instead of using outside contractors for the project, LSU should have looked within itself. We have departments covering all the necessary aspects of the project. Architecture, landscape architecture and interior design students and faculty certainly would have been capable of coming up with a design that would meet future students’ needs and wants. The civil engineering department definitely has the ability to design a sound structure, and construction management specializes in the implementation of such plans.
The University has made a mistake. This project could have been cheaper if we had used our own talent that we so often love to brag about. Not to mention students need design projects, and this would have offered them one that could have affected their peers in positive ways for years to come. What better way could LSU brag on itself than to have the “heart of the campus” be a product of its own people?
Eric Epton
Senior — Petroleum Engineering
Union should remove Longhorn statue
Many may wonder why LSU has not had success in 2003 against the Texas Longhorns, in the Cotton Bowl and the women’s NCAA tourney. Was it because of bad luck? No! Was it because we had a bad game? No!
The source for all our problems exists in the middle of the LSU Union in front of the Tiger Card office. No not the wooden boob statue, but the evil, iron Texas longhorn statue on a wooden platform by the couches. Yes! This little statue is corrupting and jinxing our school’s teams because it is the very mascot of the University of Texas.
With this letter we are trying to begin a cry and petition to remove the eyesore, this “thing” we call art, out of our Union. I mean come on, would you want a statue of a bulldog at the entrance of Alex Box Stadium? If you are a Tiger fan, the answer is no, and you should have the same rage as I do. Now come on all you Tiger fans, lets get this thing out of the LSU Student Union!
P.S. Please replace with TIGER!
Joshua Rushing
General Business
When stupidity and patriotism collide
Ahhh, the American way: freedom of speech and the right to individual opinions for all, and to hell with anyone who disagrees with us.
So the French aren’t like us. They don’t feel the need to throw their weight into conflicts in which they have no vested interest. How dare they be interested in their own country, the nerve of those people!
Well, way to go everybody. We sure showed those croissant-eaters what’s what. Sales of French products have declined and some restaurant owners have gone so far as to ban French products all together. I’m sure there’s a Frenchie somewhere crying into his brie because we’re over here eating freedom onion soup.
Instead of worrying about what you’re going to order from McDonald’s today, I challenge you all to do something proactive. Write a letter to a soldier and tell them what a good job they’re doing and how much you appreciate their personal sacrifice for freedom. Instead of deliberating over what new brand of vodka you’re going to buy in protest of Grey Goose, take that money and contribute to the “Supplies for Soldiers” drive.
Wake up everybody. It may be difficult at times to figure out what this war is all about, but I know one thing for certain — it’s not about the French or fast food.
Christina Mickens
Sophomore — Mass Communication