Under-enrolled classes still needed
I am writing in concern over the policy that is being followed in the College of Arts and Sciences of cutting any upper level class that is under enrolled.
I was in one such class, and the only reason that I am still taking it is because the professor has allowed all of the students to take it as an independent study. Before he was able to do that, he had taken the class on as a voluntary overload. While the professor has been able to single handedly keep this particular class alive, we have all been told that the next class in the series will be cancelled due to lack of interest.
What is confusing to me is how this all fits in with the LSU’s greater plans. This ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy, which cuts all under enrolled upper level classes, seems to fly in the face of the Flagship Agenda. How is anyone to believe the administration is serious about promoting academic excellence and closer student-professor relationships when it cuts classes because they are exactly how they should be – small?
We students were told that one reason the new 1,000 person classroom was built was to free up more time for professors to teach small sections of upper level classes by lumping many of the already large sections of introductory classes into one huge one.
Why then is the University cutting the very classes it promised us?
The College of Arts and Sciences holds the backbone of the liberal arts tradition. Literature, Political Science, History, Philosophy, and Linguistics are the pillars that uphold the grand educational tradition of Western Civilization. When upper level classes in those fields are treated with such disaffected nonchalance, one is forced to question whether we students are getting the great education LSU promised.
As for myself, I’ve found that after three years of proactive service and a healthy love affair with LSU that many of the promises I’ve been given have only filled me with false hope. The deletion of academic curriculum necessary for a broad and well-rounded education has been the greatest of disappointments.
Michael El Koubi
senior
history / German
Segregation plagues Tiger Stadium
I would just like to recommend that the athletic department advise the students that Tiger Stadium is a segregated school facility.
You see, apparently for at least the last five years, the section immediately to the right of the tunnel through which the players run onto the field has been a “sit-down” section.
At least that is what most of those in the “sit-down” section called it.
From the moment I arrived at Tiger stadium, I heard remarks all around me about how the section had “changed.”
Students argued over the issue until one yelled, “This is the BLACK section, so you need to just sit your ass somewhere else!”
One black fraternity member poured his entire Sprite on a white guy in front of him. Another black guy sat on one white student’s feet after she refused to sit or give up her seat.
I was amazed at the black students waiting on the stairs, watching like hawks for non-black students going to the concession stands; these vultures then readily pounced on the newly opened seats.
I must have missed the rule that states five black fraternity members can save three entire rows for their fraternity brothers, but a group of students cannot hold one spot for a couple friends for two minutes.
Some black female students whined and moaned about how they couldn’t see the game, but when these ladies were allowed to sit and watch the game, most just talked to one another and played games on their cell phones showing absolutely no interest in the game.
Here’s an idea: If you don’t really care about LSU football and are too lazy to stand up and cheer during a pivotal game such as the one against Georgia, DON’T BUY STUDENT TICKETS!
Am I the only one to find it appalling that enjoying a game of football is now a racial issue? I guess I was mistaken in my assumption that the days of segregation were over.
I suppose pretty soon we will start seeing special restrooms and water fountains for those in the ‘sit-down’ section as well.
Amy Sagona
senior
psychology
Segregation plagues Tiger Stadium
Although parts of the Greek show did not exemplify unity, I wouldn’t dare label the entire Harambeé 2003 Celebration as a “Growing Apart” like Robin Davidson did. Every other aspect of the show was centered around unity and clearly Ms. Davidson needs to be set straight.
First off, Harambee did not begin and hour and 30 minutes late. If she would have been paying attention, he would have known that from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. was the organizational fair and the show was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. There was only a 20 minute delay due to reasons that were out of the committee’s control.
Secondly, the speaker, Bryonn Bain, spoke only the truth. The truth that is felt by many but expressed by few.
He made no attempts to sugarcoat his message to avoid stepping on a few toes. He was only trying to open the people’s eyes to the reality of oppression and racism in this country, which obviously didn’t work on Mr. Davidson if he honestly believes that “events such as Harambeé are the reasons why racism is still greatly present in the world today.”
That statement proves how necessary and how on point Mr. Bain’s message was, and also how ignorant Mr. Davidson is.
If he felt that Mr. Bain was wrong or that his toes had been crushed, then he was more than free to get up out of his seat and excuse himself from the building.
And finally, the actions of the Greek organizations were not under the control of the Harambeé planning committee.
They chose not to abide by the theme of unity, therefore the committee was forced to cut their performances short.
The only blame for those unfortunate mishappenings should be placed only on the individuals in each organization that participated in bashing and not on the organization as a whole. The Greek show was only one part of Harambeé and its partial failure should not reflect the positivity of the entire celebration.
So Mr. Davidson, events like Harambeé are exactly what this country needs to make people, not unlike yourself, aware of the reality of racism and oppression, so that we can continue to work towards unity among and within all races.
Rachel Brown
senior
general studies
Georgia fan responds to coverage
I find it quite sad that a sportwriter on your site feels the need to bash UGA without even getting the facts to his WHOLE argument correct.
The UGA players didn’t sell their rings on eBay.
Get your facts right next time, Brian. It’s quite laughable.
Will Neilson
Georgia fan