Stereotyping of Aged Elite unwarranted

As a 43-year-old, full-time non-traditional student, I am one of the "Aged Elite," whom columnist Sabrina Noble so masterfully stereotyped recently. I respect Ms. Noble's right to express herself. Yet, to those readers who would find such prejudice against older students to be entertaining, or even accurate, I offer the following:

Being late to a class is not age-dependent. Any student can encounter circumstances that will make them late for class. However, when those of us from the Aged Elite are late, I assure you that it is very likely to be for some worthwhile reason. For instance, we might be running late for an 8 a.m. class because we've already been to our office at 6 a.m. in order to sign the paychecks that are owed to hard-working people, such as your parents, who rely on us to provide jobs for them, so that in turn, they can pay for you go to college and stereotype us.

Maybe the reason that we Aged Elite converse with professors as though we're "in an exclusive grown-up club," as Ms. Noble puts it, is because of the alienation we experience from the 20,000 or so members on campus who belong to, what I am tempted to term as, the "Not-Grown Up Club." Commentary such as Ms. Noble's only serves to further alienate nontraditional students. For nontraditional students, it is difficult enough to acquire an education while simultaneously maintaining our responsibilities to family, community and career, without the insult of being made to feel like outcasts, or that our presence on campus is somehow abnormal.

For those of you who think that stereotyping people because of their age is funny or appropriate, perhaps it's because in your sophomore year you were either chronically late to your required course on gender, race, class, ethnicity, or you simply did not "get it."

Lastly, should you decide that respecting your elders crosses the line, as Ms. Noble suggests, I offer every youthful Wildcat reader the following proposition to consider: It is absolutely inevitable that one day, far ahead in your future, some disrespectful young person will inform you that you've become one of us.

Charlie Morriss
philosophy senior

Bynum left for more than playing time

This letter is in regard to the blasphemous article written by Christopher Wuensch about Will Bynum in Friday's edition of the Wildcat.

Unfortunately, Mr. Wuensch failed to do any research on his topic. Will Bynum transferred from the UA for a myriad of reasons, including having an extremely ill mother at home that he desired to be near.

If Bynum had transferred only because of playing time (as Wuensch suggests), he would have chosen a school other than Georgia Tech, where he is forced to come off the bench because of GT's deep backcourt. Seriously, why would he transfer out of the UA's crowded backcourt into another deep backcourt and sacrifice a year of eligibility to do so?

Will Bynum still cares about the UA, even if the UA's idiotic sports writer at the Wildcat does not care about him. Proof?

Bynum watches the UA games on TV and before one of the U's bigger games this year, he even called some of the players to let them know that they needed to step up and come together as a team.

He called with his advice on how the Wildcats could play together better. Would a spiteful person do that?

I do not know why Mr. Wuensch holds a grudge against Will Bynum, but I would suggest that someone muzzle him before he spews any more uncorroborated filth.

Judson Graham
junior majoring in English

ASUA election deadline extension wise choice

To all the people opposing the deadline extension set forth by elections commissioner Suh, get over it.

Props to the candidates that turned in their packets by the original deadline. Suh made a good decision to extend the deadline.

Elections are supposed to present the most qualified and diverse candidates for the job.

By extending the deadline, it allows (and hopefully even encourages) a more experienced, skillful and (most important) able field of candidates to be represented to the student body. And to the senate: Stop being bent out of shape because Suh didn't ask permission.

You trusted him to do a job when you hired him, now stand beside him and give him the support he deserves.

Jennifer Morris
agricultural economics senior

Campus Magazine suits UA campus well

I was really annoyed to find that the Wildcat had once again taken something innocent and attempted to create controversy.

Campus Magazine is a publication made by students, for students.

I find it exhilarating to find UA alumni using their knowledge and skills to give back to the UA, as well as build up their resumŽs and experience through such a financial gamble.

As much as some people feel that the magazine is largely about bars, parties and student life, it is also a forum for anyone and everyone to express themselves.

It covers a wide range of topics and is refreshing in the fact that it is dedicated to the UA and its surrounding community.

Though some feel the need to constantly criticize, I for one am happy that someone finally took the time to make a light and fun publication solely for our campus. I look forward to every issue.

Sarah Moore
pre-nursing sophomore

Buy lock, insurance to counteract thefts

I just wanted to give my advice to the people who decide to bring expensive bikes to the UA and end up having them stolen (probably by people who have no business on this campus to begin with): Do yourself a huge favor and purchase a lock that comes with insurance - preferably one that is worth more than the bike.

I would never consider bringing my $900 bike to school, and being that I live in Tucson, I purchased a nice Kryptonite lock for about $26 with $1250 of insurance coverage that only cost $10 more.

It almost makes you wish that your bike would get stolen to get that insurance money.

I am sure that most of you have noticed that most bicyclists bring crappy bikes to school ... for a reason.

Ian Flemming

Tucsonan