Police response time and statements unacceptable
Monday’s article, “Students fend off Courtyard intruders,” detailing the experiences of Courtyard residents’ struggle against intruders and their agonizing wait for the police to arrive clearly expresses the student body’s overall dislike for the University Police. The various student testimony outlining the actual availability of the University Police makes one wonder as to their usefulness.
If the University Police spokeswoman had a reasonable defense for the actions, or lack thereof, taken by the police, I could see myself holding a modicum of respect for the University Police. However, all the spokeswoman had to say was that she had no knowledge of the incident. In my feeble mind, I would think that any incident where students tried repeatedly and by many avenues to contact the police would be well-known within the police department. That the campus police cannot even say “no comment” on this topic, instead alleging no knowledge, is completely despicable.
How can we, as students, feel safe on the campus, when our police force does not even know about a major safety breach? If the police are trying to make a statement about The Diamondback in regards to this issue, they should know that The Diamondback, or any press, shapes student opinions. If you want our trust and respect, make friends with those who influence us.
Joshua NeeriemerPhilosophySenior
Excelling and “chilling out” hardly mutually exclusive
This is in response to the Nov. 20 letter to the editor, “Chilling out at the expense of your grades a poor decision.”
I’m not sure why this was even written. I don’t know anyone who actually thinks that it is more important to “chill out” more often than do work in college. Yes, there are people who choose to “chill out” instead of work, and they generally do not excel in school.
We are human beings and yes, sometimes we make the wrong decision to “chill out” instead of work – it is part of life. But we all know this, so why point it out? Also, it is human to sometimes complain about the work you have, even if it’s a small amount – that’s just what we do.
Additionally, if you think that the only way to get ahead in life is to have a “high GPA”, then there is something you are missing. I hear time and time again from employers and successful professionals that the exact GPA you have as an undergraduate is not the determining factor for your professional career. Sure, you want to do well enough to stay in school, and it never hurts to excel, but I do not believe employers are looking at the difference between a 3.3 and a 3.3542.
So please, “chill out” from time to time, and stay on top of your work.
Benjy FogelmanEnglish language and literature and TheaterSophomore
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