Seek diversity by cutting greek life

Certainly both education costs and diversity have been major issues discussed at the UA in recent months. Not surprisingly, the two go hand in hand. Here s at least one solution: eliminate greek life.

This archaic tradition of fraternities and sororities, often particular to race (e.g. black sororities) and exclusive to major, not only promote separatism by gender and race, but promote and a college-aged social hierarchy by which the more privileged students (more often than not, those that are white, upper-middle class) are allowed to intermingle and cohabitate in relative isolation from the rest of the student body simply because their parents have the extra money to shoulder their living costs.

In effect, the university experience of these students molds them to inherit the elitist mentality too often associated with the wealthy class. The fact that the university allows fraternity and sorority houses with their manicured lawns and often dazzling architecture to be constructed on campus is appalling. No wonder a rising number of scholarships is directed to minorities and students from low-income homes (which in turn only further promote separatism between races and social classes).

An obsolete institution such as greek life that divides students based on higher financial status only provokes reactions in the form of scholarships and programs specific to students of poor financial status, thus feeding a vicious cycle that alienates groups of students from one another.

It amazes that we still deny that which much of the free world (e.g. France, Canada) and even some countries of not-so-free world (e.g. Cuba) have embraced as a basic human right to anyone seeking to better themselves: free education. If the University of Arizona wants to really talk about diversity it should start by rejecting its greek bias.

Vincent Fricano
creative writing senior

Opinions section full of opinions

Looking at the responses to my comments made in Monday's paper, I can't but help notice something. It has been mentioned that a credible reporter should report the facts about the debates and not draw conclusions. Now perhaps I'm wrong, since I no longer have a copy of that particular day's Wildcat, but I do believe that the assertion that a certain person won the debate was made in the same section as this: the OPINIONS section. Hopefully, all people at college at least have a basic idea of the definition of the word "opinion." If not, then I seriously worry about the quality of the education I'm receiving.

Admitted, if it were on the front page declared that Bush or Kerry "won" the debate, then I would have complained myself. However, the opinions section is not the front page, and if you take it as anything else, you are an idiot, plain and simple. Sorry to break this to you.

Leigh McGill
mechanical engineering sophomore

'Simpsons' shouldn't bring up gay rights

I found this a little modern, yet political. Then again, what isn't political these days?

"The Simpsons" is pushing for gay marriage rights in America with a shocking episode featuring chain-smoking twin Patty's wedding another woman. Homer is ordained as a minister and marries Marge's sister to her dream woman.

I've been told it's a deliberate attempt to slap our President in the face over the issue of gay marriage rights, but I think it's another media scheme. I'm a conservative, and I think this issue is something that should be addressed, but not at the federal level. I would hope for ratifications of new state constitutional amendments. Yes, a per-state basis. This way, it is representative of peoples' desires for their country and how it should function.

Is it fair to say "The Simpsons'" writers are out of line for making an episode (literally) of the modern dilemma? Probably not, but I don't think it is within their right to spearhead another media front for the cause. This, assuming that it is the desired effect of the upcoming show. Of course, more than enough people are going to disagree with me, tough luck. Either way, I'm going to watch the episode because it amazes me the twins are still alive, or not dependent on an iron lung.

Josh Averyt
computer engineering freshman