Business class makes you dumber

Welcome to marketing for business minors, BAD 303. It is a class where knowledge not only recedes but diminishes. It is the most unchallenging class offered here at the university, but what distinguishes this class from others is its lack of teaching.

A teacher is supposed to impart knowledge and skills to his or her students. People want to learn. So why is it that in this class there is no learning? The teacher does not teach. She puts in videos almost every day that advertise for different companies. Does she get an additional stipend for selling products to her students?

This teacher takes responsibility for nothing. For example, there were only enough copies of the first exam for one-third of the class. She was irresponsible and negligent but put the blame on the teaching assistant. In addition, this teacher does not create her own exams. The questions are selected off of a computer program. Some other teachers probably do this with the same program but would review the exam. Not this one. Instead, she distributed it to the class without reviewing or even skimming the exam. The questions on it were nitpicky questions that were irrelevant to the subject matter and so detailed that one had to have literally memorized the entire chapter and regurgitate the answers to pass this exam. The entire class complained to her, but this teacher would not admit fault. Not feeling well was her response.

Now, as finals approach, I have lost all hope in studying for this class. Anything could be put on this exam, and the teacher will probably be as surprised to see the questions as the students will surely be. The only things I have learned in this class is what I have learned through crossword puzzles from the newspaper. A quote from "Billy Madison" describes Hardesty's BAD 303 class the best: "At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it."

Stephanie Halpert
psychology senior

Guest column dismantles New York Times

A big hooray for Paul G. Allvin's beautiful rebuttal to that ridiculous New York Times piece!

His systematic, fact-filled approach cleanly dismantled the Times arguments and articulated what I could only hope to in my indignant sputtering and fuming.

Thank you, Mr. Allvin, for your dashing and expert defense of a top-notch school.

Shauna Eggers
alumna

Gucci just as expressive as thrift store

I never thought I'd be writing to join in on the sunglasses debate, but David Schuster's joke of a letter pushed me over the edge. First of all, Mr. Schuster should research fashion a bit more before coming to his conclusion. Gucci has been one of the most well-known and sought-after fashion houses for decades. Gucci was popular before he was born and will be still popular for many years to come.

His call for students to stop wearing sunglasses is ridiculous. Wearing sunglasses helps protect your eyes. I personally wear sunglasses as it helps deter macular degeneration, something that runs in my family.

Also, Mr. Schuster needs to realize that people wearing Gucci sunglasses are being just as expressive about themselves as he is by furnishing his apartment with thrift store merchandise. Feel free to keep buying your sunglasses at Savers; I'll buy mine on Rodeo Drive.

Alexandra Perwin
accounting senior

UA finances force students to tailgate

While I don't necessarily think that it was right for Benjamin Cooper to steal parking, I feel that it is absolutely ridiculous that he was arrested. But what I find even more irritating is how the article was written as if students who don't want to pay "never more than $6 a day" are dumb and cheap.

First, for those of us who are already being financially raped by the UA, $6 a day is a real pain in the ass. Am I the only one who thinks it's a crock that I have to pay to park my car so that I can go to class? What, they aren't making enough money from my ever-increasing tuition and my books? Oh really, I need 11 books for one art history class? By next year, expect pay toilets and headlines of people getting arrested for pissing in the street.

Also, these people who are supposedly "outraged" from being tailgated out of the garage need to get a freaking life.

Angelica Hancock
studio art senior

Gays need support from friends, community

I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the editorial by Dillon Fishman a few weeks ago. I can relate to his situation from the other perspective; I was the guy that no one would have guessed to be gay. I was very happy to know I had such good friends to support me through those troubling times, probably much like he did for his friend. I'm glad experiences like these can promote a higher level of awareness and acceptance on at least the very personal level. Thank you, Wildcat for the good writing - keep it up.

Dylan Grippi
veterinary science freshman

Men and women differ sexually, biologically

This is in response to Lisa Knisely's letter about the female orgasm article. In your

letter you state that men and women are not biologically or sexually different. Despite what your women's studies professors probably teach you, there are fundamental sexual and biological differences between the genders.

Biological example: Men have much larger amounts of testosterone while women have much larger amounts of estrogen. Hormones can have a huge impact on how our bodies function, so when you have that big a difference between people's hormones, it's going to manifest itself. Sexual difference? Try asking almost any girl why she goes to dance clubs and she's likely to say to dance with friends. Ask almost any guy and he'll say he goes to meet girls. Obviously they are motivated by different urges. And if there are no big differences between men and women then why is there a whole field dedicated to the study of women (which you are a part of)? One might also raise the question of why there isn't any such field devoted to the study of men, but I won't get into equality issues.

As for your friend who participates in "masturbation competitions," I find that disgusting. If one chooses to pleasure his or herself, that is their choice, but to do so in front of those who are not your sexual partners is lewd. Whereas I'm from people who have a sense of decency and don't sit around group masturbating just to amuse themselves by who can get off first. As far as female orgasms and your thoughts on that, there are a few things I could probably educate you on about that as well, but some topics are best left outside the realm of public exchange. But then again, what do I know? I'm just a man and therefore a sexist pig ignorant of all things female (living in a culture that privileges male sexuality far above female sexuality?), so I guess my opinion shouldn't count.

Tom Mosby
psychology sophomore

Columnist doesn't understand Mexico

What does Dan Post know about Mexico? The analysis and information he used for his column are flawed. Starting with the fact that the last name of Mexico City's mayor is Lopez not Obrador (Call the department of Latin American studies to find out why). AMLO is a populist and demagogic manipulator of the masses that has done nothing but hurt Mexico with his actions and theatrical performances. The contempt accusation is only the tip of an iceberg of more than eight criminal investigations on him. He only obeys the law as it is convenient to him. Furthermore, AMLO is surrounded by crooks. Last year, two of his closest collaborators where caught on tape using illicit money and receiving bribes. Fortunately, at least one of them is behind bars; the other one fled the country like a coward. Like the old Mexican saying says: Tell me who are your friends and I will tell you who you are. AMLO's actions speak by themselves, do not listen to his dishonest words. AMLO is not the Mexican Messiah; he compares himself to great leaders like MLK or Gandhi, but a better comparison will be Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Feliciano Garcia
business administration graduate student

Corporate accounts instead of new Rec

This letter is in reference to the ASUA $35 million recreation referendum. I am aware of the excessive number of students currently attempting to use the current Student Recreation Center, however there may be a far more cost efficient answer to this dilemma. Many institutions (private and public) have corporate accounts with outside gyms. Due to the significant number of students living off campus, working with the university to create a UA corporate account with various gyms, well distributed throughout Tucson (i.e. potentially closer to where many students may actually live), may provide a much more immediate solution to the situation. Such accounts usually do not cost the corporation a cent, as they greatly benefit the respective gym. The rates charged at private gyms are usually a great deal lower than normal rates, as the bulk entry of new clients makes up for any shortfalls. This rate reduction should more than make up for the extra $50 currently paid per semester for the use of the Rec Center and loosen up the current crowding. This would not only reduce significant administrative costs (future and present), but would allow many individuals who never go to the Recreation Center (due to a desire to avoid hormonally driven undergraduates or due to location) the opportunity to go to a gym that meets their needs. This may also appeal greatly to administrative personnel (i.e. people with sway). Then the ASUA can sit back and say: Not only did we reduce crowding, but we did so in a timely manner and at very little cost. It will take little effort to check and see if this is a viable option. Lastly, if for some reason the new Rec Center proposal does make it through, please ask for an itemized estimate, $35 million for an extra 30,000 feet of space seems just a tad excessive (i.e. who has a hand in the cookie jar).

Ken Witt
pharmacology research associate

Minorities don't bring low retention

In response to LeeNatali's rebuttal to a New York Times column of criticism of the UA, there is a particular paragraph that causes a start. I've read it over a few times, and still it seems it might sound better worded a little differently.

One would hope the author really did not intend to equate minorities with "low retention and graduation rates" as he does near the end of the article. In fact, I can't fathom any reason for mentioning minorities at all.

Walter Brown
undeclared freshman

Men do discriminate against drunk women

Amorette St.Onge's letter in Friday's Wildcat reflected not only naiveté but also a total contradiction. Her claim that it is discriminatory for people to assume that if a woman drinks more alcohol she increases her chance of being raped is totally foolish. Yes, a woman has the right to drink as much as she wants, but unfortunately, men also discriminate against women who are drunk by taking advantage, and in some cases, raping them. If a women doesn't want to try to avoid a situation that might lead to rape, such as accepting alcohol from a stranger, that is her choice, but in claiming that "Education is the best way to prevent rape," St.Onge obviously doesn't understand that women must also participate in that education, which includes encouraging women not to binge drink and to bring friends to look after them if they do. Sgt. Eugene V. Mejia was only reinforcing this fact in pointing out that women need to protect themselves. Being raped is sort of like a car accident, you need to be cautious and if you choose to ignore every warning sign then, despite it not being your fault, something bad may happen.

Seth J. Frantzman
alumnus

Med school not dead

A letter to the editor, "Wildcat didn't cover med school," published in Thursday's edition contained a great deal of misinformation.

The letter indicates the plans for the medical school were cancelled Friday. Not true; the plans for a Wednesday construction kick-off celebration were cancelled because the project has not yet secured startup funding from the Arizona Legislature. The UA, in collaboration with Arizona State University, is continuing plans to develop the new medical school in downtown Phoenix. The UA and its partners remain optimistic that the legislature still will provide the necessary startup funds.

The letter states that the funding is available (as a major contribution from ASU President Mike Crow. Not true, the request before the Arizona Legislature is for $7 million in startup funds, $6 million for the UA and $1 million for ASU. President Crow has not provided a major contribution. The UA has provided funding toward renovation of three historic buildings in downtown Phoenix that initially will house the medical school expansion (under the Memorandum of Understanding that outlined this project, this will be an expansion of the UA College of Medicine, in collaboration with ASU). Bottom line: Startup funding does not exist for this project - that's why the legislative request is so vital to the project's success.

The letter states there is a battle over the curriculum between ASU and UA, with ASU supporting a curriculum for research-based physicians. Again, not true. Although the curriculum has not yet been finalized, medical school officials estimate about 95 percent of the graduates of the new medical school will work as practicing physicians. The research connection to TGen, as well as other biomedical research initiatives, will provide medical students with cutting-edge information and training that ultimately will lead to better health care for Arizona. The small percentage of graduates who pursue research careers are expected to make important medical advances.

Finally, the writer alludes to the medical school board members at the UA and ASU. No such board exists. However, Gov. Janet Napolitano did appoint a 12-member statewide Commission on Medical Education and Research, with representation from the universities, the Flinn Foundation, TGen, the Governor's Office, the Legislature and hospitals to guide the establishment of the biomedical campus.

George Humphrey
director, Office of Public Affairs UA Health Sciences Center