By
Nick Zeckets
Tucson Weekly writer Tom Danehy is killing freshmen mentalities about UA. In an article published last week, he perpetuated a number of myths about the campus and the campus community. Supposedly, he was writing to the freshmen new to our campus, so to keep our young'uns here, Danehy's points need to be countered. While Danehy did pen a humorous column, don't let the comedy blind you.
Danehy began his article on how exactly to "earn a degree from the University of Arizona" in the form of five simplistic recommendations. For the most part, Danehy had some good points. However, his last point of "keep[ing] your eyes on the prize" was incredulous because he posited that without a college education, one is doomed to "walk around with electronic ankle bracelets" or "work in the nether regions of the service industry."
Tommy boy couldn't be further from the truth. Bill Gates, Dave Thomas, Rush Limbaugh and a slew of other successful businessmen never graduated from college, yet are considered media and business giants in America. Furthermore, this nation is short on skilled laborers who, when motivated, can easily make upwards of $60,000 per year.
Danehy took a serious right turn off the reality expressway with his "myths that simply won't go away," attempting to refute facts about UA. While each may seem truthful to someone who hasn't sought to uncover what really goes on, some of Danehy's points aren't exactly spot on.
"Myth" one: "jocks flock together in certain classes" and "certain teachers are 'jock-sniffers.'" A TA for several natural science courses indicated that he watched teachers observe athletes cheat and turn their heads. Even when confronted, some teachers will indicate that, "Hey, that kid makes us money. Who cares?" It's sad but true.
"Myth" two is slightly convoluted: "sororities are still bastions of de facto segregation." Following this point, Danehy makes a comment about there only being a handful of brunettes. What's he saying. Have you ever looked at a sorority gathered in front of their desert mansion for a picture? It's a scene straight out of an Aryan Nations rally. Moreover, these girls are rich and oh so Southern Cal. What blond-haired blue-eyed Nazi poster children they are!
The third and final "myth:" "The universities in Arizona and around the country have no good reason for raising tuition and fees every year at a rate far ahead that of inflation." While Arizona education fees are much like those across the rest of America; the professors and deserving faculty and staff don't receive what they should because the Arizona State Legislature. The problem is that costs for school are far outweighing what most middle class families can reasonably afford.
Rebutting Danehy's "five degrees you probably didn't know were offered (and would be wise to avoid)" will wrap up this journalistic beat down. Mentioning each would be too tedious at this point, so focus will be on number five, Mexican American Studies, which he felt was a total waste.
UA's Mexican American Studies and Research Center is an interdisciplinary program that readies economic, political and social actors to deal with and answer problems Mexican Americans face. Attacking this program is as ludicrous as attacking Near Eastern Studies, African Studies or any culturally based department. This is one argument that would have gone better unheard.
Tom Danehy's ideas are being financially supported by Tucson Weekly advertisers and, indirectly, by the readers. Let the Weekly know how you feel about anti-UA, anti-diversity, misinformed reporting and commentary. Humor is wonderful, but when newspapers go without credible reporting, they become the National Inquirer.
Nick Zeckets is a Political Science/Near Eastern Studies Major. He can be reached at nick.zeckets@wildcat.arizona.edu.
