UA athletes should learn to live on less, not steal

I was appalled to see the article on the KVOA Web site that asked if the $880 monthly stipend paid to those with athletic scholarships is enough. I am sorry, but of course it's enough ÷ if you are willing to learn to live within your means and not believe that you are entitled to so much more. There are thousands of students at the UA who do not get financial aid, let alone scholarships and stipends, yet they do not feel the need to steal from the U-Mart. There are thousands of students who work full time, carry a full course load and still have less than $880 a month to live on, but they manage without stealing from the U-Mart.

I wonder at this environment, where athletes are treated as being so much more special and important than other students that they simply feel that they are untouchable and can do what they want without worrying about the consequences. They see their own idols being charged with various crimes and getting off with lighter sentences or acquittals ÷ so why shouldn't they be afforded the same perks in life?

Joanne Kennedy
anthropology
sophomore

ILC a campus Îgem' that deserves recognition

It is a pity that none of Wednesday's columnists, commenting on UA buildings, recognized, or even mentioned, one of the greatest gems on campus: the Integrated Learning Center.

Its unique architecture, with well-lighted underground towers (and the ultramodern classrooms) sets it apart from all the buildings around it. It is no surprise that many Homecoming participants on the UA Mall will not even realize the hidden treasures beneath them, yet its daily student traffic can only be rivaled by that of the Student Union Memorial Center.

While Sabrina Noble is stunned at Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering building's indestructible hanging bridge, she should also take a moment to marvel at the ILC's indestructible roof ÷ the grassed ground that I usually play soccer on!

Moses Nyaribo
aerospace engineering
sophomore

Foreign students show unusual dedication

I want to thank Shawn Steinhart for his letter, "Foreign grad students have so much to offer."

I am an international teaching assistant in my last year of doctoral studies and third year as a TA. I also tutored at the SALT Center, which was a great experience. In my office we have three international TAs teaching different courses, and I think I speak on behalf of all international TAs at the UA when I state that we do study before we teach! I try every semester to change something and improve. We have a class Web page and are available for our students. I try every semester to bring in something new and exciting, and I learn something new about the topics to be prepared for the class.

We all have accents because English is not our first language. In my case, English is my fourth language! It is completely disheartening and disappointing when I get racist comments on the teacher evaluations such as: "Foreign students should not be allowed to be TAs" and " First blow out your accent, then come and teach me." I am glad when I get feedback, even if it is about something I am not good enough at, but at least it tells me where my weaknesses are. I am extremely sad when I get such comments as those mentioned above.

We internationals never deny that we have accents (how could we?), but that does not mean we do not put effort in our work or that, because of our accents, we are less qualified than our English-speaking colleagues.

Perhaps all of us should be more open ÷ and why not try to learn a new language and master it at the level of grad school requirements?

Zsuzsanna Szabo
educational psychology
graduate teaching assistant

Registration will make students' voices heard

While registering students to vote at this year's ÎBattle of the Bands' competition, it occurred to me that most students do not know about the voting process for local and national elections for our country's political leaders. Because of this, I wanted to express my concern over the issue.

As you have probably heard before, voting "is your civic duty." It is the privilege that every American has as a result of a free democracy. Now, I know what you're thinking: "My vote doesn't matter" or "I shouldn't vote because I don't know what's going on." This may or may not be true, but being registered and going to the polls make a difference for the following reason: Being a registered voter gives your peer group political power.

Consider the following: University students are put last on a priority scale for most politicians. Consider also that elderly and senior citizens are put first on the priority list for most politicians. Why do you think this is? It is because senior citizens participate in the voting process. Looking purely at numbers, senior citizens have a larger portion of their population registered, and a larger portion of that population votes. Students, on the other hand, do not register themselves and do not vote in the same measure. So, when a politician has to decide what group he or she should support on an issue, the logical decision is not to support the students, but to go with the safe option and support the larger turnout of voters. By registering to vote in Pima County, you will increase the political power of the students of the UA.

It has also occurred to me that most students do not think they should register in Tucson if they are already registered in their hometown. There are a few reasons why this is wrong. First of all, students attend classes in the fall and spring semesters from August to May ÷ nine months out of 12. That is the majority of their lives for at least four years. The issues of the community will affect the university, and thus, the students within the university. The other reason to register in Tucson is that being registered in Tucson will record you in the Pima County records. These are the records used by politicians to gauge where their constituents are located.

This letter is intended to make students aware of the potential power that we possess. This power remains unrealized and will remain as such until we really come together as a whole. The UA performs a wealth of services for the community, state and nation. It is about time that we are recognized by our politicians as being a dynamic entity. So please do your part and register to vote. You truly can make a difference.

J.P. Benedict
marketing senior
student body president