Publishers not friend of students
This letter is in response to Daniel Bartell's letter to the editor ("Textbook publishers working to help students"). Mr. Bartell, I find that your comments regarding the validity of the use of secondary materials bundled with textbooks to be highly flawed. You cite the reason for including said texts as to assist the student. You use the declining success of students at universities as your argument. You are mistaken in your beliefs.
The two reasons for high textbook costs are the introduction of new editions and secondary materials. Let me make myself clear: There have been no major revelations in single variable calculus in more than 50 years. Yet you find ways to "update" books every three years. Regarding secondary bundled material, I will purchase those books of my own free will if I choose to. I am an adult and I do not need you making that choice for me.
You are absolutely correct that students are having a difficult time in today's college environment. The reason for such poor performance is that the rising costs of education have forced students to seek employment during their undergraduate education. With too much time spent flipping burgers and not enough time spent flipping pages, students are being severely overexerted. If you truly care about the success of students, lower your prices. Make our education more affordable so that undergraduates can go back to doing what they went to school to do - learn.
David Townsend
mechanical engineering junior
Angry students should show compassion
I was disgusted by the tone and the comments made in the article "Katrinaevacuees cause concern." Angry students need to take a step back and think before they speak.
First of all, only 30 students have transferred to the UA. I highly doubt that 30 new students have kept students out of their pre-business or ecology and evolutionary biology classes. Second, perhaps those of us who are so fortunate to be at the same school we started our college career in should not throw ourselves pity parties. After all, we have our health, home, belongings and dry classrooms.
Sure, students are having trouble getting into classes, but the victims of Hurricane Katrina lost not only all of their classes, but also their entire college. Be thankful for your blessings and stop being selfish. As for the 30 new students on campus, welcome. I would be happy for any one of you to take my spot in a class if needed.
Juliette Morache
freshman majoring in English
Students should respect debates, speakers
First, I would like to thank the Debate Club for putting on the discussion forum about Sept. 11 and the war on terrorism with Refuse and Resist and the College Republicans on Wednesday afternoon. It was very informative and more forums like this should be held on campus.
In regard to this, one of the representatives from Refuse and Resist, in his closing comments, stated that discussion forums like the one held Wednesday should be held more often and on a much larger scale. While I agree with this there is one problem - the audience.
There were several students and supporters of both Refuse and Resist and the College Republicans who were extremely rude and immature while the speakers were presenting and while other students asked questions. There should definitely be more opportunities like this forum for students to discuss world issues facing us today, but unfortunately it cannot happen unless participants are willing to be mature and intelligent during these forums. Only then can we begin to address and resolve the larger issues, like the war on terrorism, at hand.
Joelle de la Vara
elementary education junior
Oil industry deserves more respect
I am writing this letter in response to Mr. Paul DiMaggio's take on effects of rising gas prices on the economy ("True sacrifice would be higher gas prices"). I could not disagree more with the assessment Mr. DiMaggio made about the state of our nation.
"By consuming more gas ... we are also helping to fund the terrorists," he says. Well, Mr. DiMaggio, you obviously do not have any relatives in the oil industry. My father happens to work for an oil company, and these prices have drastically cut into our family's disposable income.
Sales have been so weak with the advent of hybrid automobiles that I have to ride public transportation to work every day. Do you know what that's like, Mr. DiMaggio? I would guess that you do not. It seems as though the public is losing faith in the industry that made the United States the great nation it is today. So I implore you, Mr. DiMaggio, have some respect for the nation you live in today and the men and women who helped create it.
Niall O'Connor
UA alumna