Math department problems should not be pinned on students
I've worked for several years as a math and science tutor here on campus, and I've largely kept quiet about my extreme dissatisfaction with the quality of calculus education at the UA. Last Friday's article on the "Gateway exam" demonstrates that the math department here is simply clueless about what students need to do well in calculus. Professor Madden's comment that students are not prepared for second semester calculus because, "...they don't review what they've already learned" is just an attempt to shift the blame away from where it really belongs.
The truth is that calculus students at the UA are being cheated out of a fundamental working knowledge of the subject by an abysmal textbook written by one of our own professors, Dr.Hughes-Hallett. The "Hughes-Hallett" textbook is extremely poorly-written, containing a paucity of examples well beyond the abilities of beginning calculus students and an emphasis on overly theoretical material- at the expense of problem solving techniques and applications, among other defects. To add insult to injury, second-semester calculus also must suffer through this book. I personally would be very curious to know what percentage of first-semester calculus students who use that textbook end up re-taking the class - because of failure or the GRO. How would that percentage compare to that of other freshmen courses on campus? My personal experience with tutoring freshman-level chemistry and even physics suggests that such a comparison would probably result in an appallingly poor reflection on the math department.
Dr. Madden concludes by stating, "We wouldn't put an obstacle in front of students that they wouldn't be able to pass." But, by using that terrible textbook, that obstacle is already in place. Ultimately, the big losers are the students. Calculus is an elegant, straight-forward subject, but students here never get to see that side of it. At the UA, calculus has simply been perverted into a university-wide weed out class, and that is not how it should be.
Frank Mazdab
geosciences graduate student
math/science tutor
Underage do not deserve to drink
I am writing in response to your "Issue of the Week" article on fake ids, and would like to give your readers some history as well as my personal opinion on the subject.
Arizona, like most states, did have a law allowing 18 through 20-year-olds to drink. This was during the early 1980s - when many of your readers were in diapers - and came in response to the nationwide sentiment that "at 18 you're old enough to vote but not old enough to drink." However, the U.S. Supreme Court soon ruled that minors - those under the age of 18, could not be prohibited from any behavior that was allowed to all adults, which 18-20-year-olds were now considered, simply because of age. Imagine 12 year olds bellying up to the bar with their allowance, legally. So the law was changed back to a 21-age limit, and those in between were grandfathered in.
Your columnist, Cory Spiller, referred to the "legal respect" that "young adults deserve," implying our country would be "better off" for giving 18 to 20 year-olds the right to drink. But a person earns respect because of her or his character, not simply because of an arbitrary age limit.
I have worked on campus for over 12 years - including 10 as a law enforcement officer - and it has been my observation that over the last six or seven of those, a growing percentage of the incoming class has shown themselves to be increasingly immature. Incidents involving alcohol, which make up an estimated 75 to 90 percent of all law enforcement related calls, have been worsening. It's not called "stupid juice" for no reason. Having seen first-hand the destructive effects of this insidious drug, I would vote to have the legal age raised to 60 or 70. But at 21, you are considered to be old enough to control yourself and take the consequences for your behavior. Prove you deserve respect.
Dave Heacock
UA security
India Club working for good cause
India Club used to be a social club that organized parties to gather the Indian student community, as well as hold two cultural shows - one in the fall and the other in the spring. It has now surpassed itself and should be recognized for its efforts for helping the earthquake victims. Many here in Tucson have lost family members and even best friends. Even a donation of a penny will mean a lot. A few dollars is enough to feed a hungry orphan child. Your old clothes will keep a family warm in a winter that lasts until the end of February. Any old water filters will keep the poor from being sick since the water lines are now contaminated. The poor need the help of every person able to give anything.
India is far away, yet most Indians have honor and are reluctant to accept donations. Even if they are starving they would say at least they have their honor. These people-if and when they are back to normal-may one day pay you back in return. Charity is more than a donation. It is an investment with unseen benefits. There is no risk in this investment.
What is better than helping others having hope, helping a rebirth of joy and happiness in the worst times of their lives, and one day having the people of India come back and help you. Difficult times like these have proven again that Indians, whether they are Muslim or Hindu, were meant to coexist together and live together in harmony. The two groups have had differences and conflicts, but when this earthquake happened it made us forget our differences. In the end, we all seek only one thing - happiness.
I lost all my friends, wife and my daughter last week (in the earthquake). Luckily I brought my younger daughter to be healed in San Francisco -although she has a very little chance of surviving. Seeing what the UA India club is doing touched my heart, and I realized there is hope. I'll probably weep and cry if I stop by at the table. My wife and older daughter meant everything to me. I thought my younger daughter is all I have now. But the India club made me realize I have a lot more. May Allah bless you for your efforts.
Abdul-Kareem Poonwalla
visiting Imam (Muslim priest)
Bhuj, India
