To the editor:
Elise Adams’ editorial (“Is diversity discrimination?”, Jan. 20) was excellent. Well-written, well-reasoned, and a refreshingly undogmatic and thoughtful point-of-view. By the way, “undogmatic” is not an adjective one finds oneself using frequently at USM.
Bob Spencer
Reference Assistant
Glickman Family Library
To the editor:
I find myself troubled by the overwhelmingly negative response to the parking situation in Portland this semester. Writer Andrew Dolby did a top-shelf job of relaying this sentiment in his aptly titled article, “Portland parking predicament petrifies pupils,” in the Jan. 20 issue. I believe the exact quotation was, “The parking situation in Portland is wicked bad.” The repetitive tone of “my life sucks because I can’t find a parking space” has, in turn, ruffled my panties.
Having now noted my crotch discomfort, I think it is time students grow up: this is college, not elementary school. My prescription for this pessimism is naptime. Take a chill.
The headaches this construction situation has caused for everyone has been duly noted, but there is little point bitching over a situation that is clearly not going to change. Complaining takes too much time and energy; let’s all focus on the positives of the situation.
Positives like the ability to create “shuttle buddies” on drives from Marginal Way to the campus center. Nothing cuts through the “getting to know you” chit-chat like being pressed up against someone like a sardine. Positives like being able to relish in a few uninterrupted minutes every morning rocking out in your car before your day starts. And, positives like the fact that in December no one will ever fight for parking again.
In conclusion, the University is putting its best foot forward to improve the parking situation for students. This situation is not unlike a lot of things in that they’ve got to get worse before they get better. It is this student’s opinion that, in great Machiavellian fashion, the “ends justify the means.” So let’s all put a sock in it and realize that we all have it pretty good. We have cars to complain about, winter is already halfway over, and though unfortunately George W. Bush is our president, at least Ted Kennedy isn’t.
Joe Reynolds
Freshman
English major
To the editor:
I am a sophomore commuter student and all of my classes happen to be on the Portland campus. I also work two jobs and I am always either coming to school from work or leaving for work directly after school. So shoot me, I drive to school. Imagine yourself in my situation: if I had to drive to Gorham or Scarborough to park and then pick up the shuttle, I would have to leave work at least an hour earlier to make it to my classes on time. An hour does not sound like a lot, but imagine if I had to give up an hour’s worth of wages every day, five days a week, four weeks a month for the entire semester. I would stand to lose a lot of money. The University has offered a “quick fix” that really gives the commuters like me the shaft. A shuttle is fine and good for residents. Do they really need to drive between campuses just so they don’t have to ride the bus? What about the commuters who depend on their transportation as a means to make a living? I feel like the commuters got hosed on this one. Thanks.
Jeff N.
Sophomore