University community has lost atmosphere at sporting events
I know everybody is probably getting tired of reading about the “Blackout at Byrd” dilemma and everything else attached to the Virginia Tech game – I know I am. But I decided to throw my thoughts out there as a last hoorah.
Why is it so hard to get some school spirit around here? Everything seems so forced. Why is everyone making such a big deal about spending $26,500 on T-shirts? I think that was a dumb idea anyways. Not only was it thrown together at the last minute, but not everybody would have gotten a shirt anyways, because that’s how it always works out. And why take money from Art Attack for T-shirts?
Art Attack is great, and the more money they have, the better the band we get. Is it really that hard for everyone to open their drawer, or, God forbid, go to Rugged Warehouse or someplace to shell out three bucks for a black shirt? It breaks my heart to see what has happened to this school. I grew up in the area, went away to college my first year, but that school had no spirit so I transferred here to get back to my roots and back to the crazy atmosphere I grew up loving. Except the atmosphere is gone.
So let’s stop whining about not getting money for T-shirts and get our own. Get your family and everyone else to buy tickets to the game (and make them wear black) to keep all the Hokies from taking our seats, make as much noise as humanly possible when Virginia Tech has the ball and give our boys a student section to be proud of, because the more pumped up we are, the more pumped up they will get. Show up and show the whole nation we haven’t lost our spirit yet, and never will!
M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D Maryland WILL win!! GO TERPS!!
Keri Athanas
Junior
Environmental science
University not doing enough about the quality of residential buildings
Recently, The Diamondback has rightfully run many articles on the importance of repairing or renovating decrepit facilities like the Physics and Chemistry Buildings.
However, the university has given very little attention to the conditions of residential facilities across the campus.
If we are to attract the best students we can, giving them a decent place to live should be something obvious.
Nobody wants to live in a building in which there is no air conditioning, elevator breakdowns are a regular occurrence, the showers become scalding hot whenever a toilet is flushed and the shower curtains are falling off, but this accurately describes some, if not most, of the North Campus dorms. While the university should continue to be the best academically, improving the quality of life for students is also crucial, especially when we have to compete against other universities with better living conditions.
Eric Tong
Junior
Nutritional science
RHA Senator, South Hill community
Cancellation of senate meetings not as newsworthy as portrayed in articles
It’s a slow news semester when the cancellation of a University Senate meeting or senate committee meetings are the lead stories about the senate week after week. Surely there are more informative topics about the senate that The Diamondback might cover. How about learning about the Student Caucus or the newly-forming senate student caucus (these are two different bodies)? Our Plan of Organization is now undergoing review; how about finding out who is doing this and what they are doing? Do you know how senate standing committees get their members? Would you like to hear from student senators about their experiences as senators? Would you like to learn more about who the student senators and the student committee members are and what they hope to accomplish?
The senate is happy to see students become more knowledgeable about the senate and more engaged in what it does. If there are issues of concern, or suggestions for improving the way things work, every student, from the president of the Student Government Association to the newest freshman, is welcome to call it to the senate’s attention and we will look into it. That makes for better campus citizens, a better senate, and a better university.
Adele Berlin
Chair, University Senate
Alums look to close achievement gap in public schools
A recent study showed children growing up in low-income communities are seven times less likely to attend college than their higher income peers. This is a result of inequities that exist in our education system. We don’t need a study to tell us why, we witnessed it first hand as Teach For America corps members – we are also a part of the solution.
Teach For America places outstanding recent college graduates from all academic majors and career interests into 22 low-income urban and rural school districts for two years as full-time paid teachers. After completing their two-year commitments, Teach For America alumni continue to impact the achievement gap as they pursue many different careers both in and out of the classroom.
As University of Maryland alumni who have joined the fight to level the playing field, we want to urge current juniors and seniors who are the future leaders in our country to consider Teach For America as a postgraduate option. If you are outraged by the educational situation in our country, then come to a free screening of the CNN documentary, “Teaching For America” on today from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Prince George’s Room of the Stamp Student Union. At that session, you will be able to meet with first-hand experience as Teach For America corps members. You may also learn more at www.teachforamerica.org, where an online application is available.
Teach For America is seeking to put an end to one of the most important problems facing our nation today – that of the achievement gap. We are looking for the most able and determined of you to work toward ending the achievement gap. If not you, who? If not now, when?
Andy Smith, Class of 2004
Michael Prada, Class of2004
Talla Rittenhouse, Class of 2003
It’s about time commuter students had a voice
The University Commuters Association’s efforts over the summer and this semester – supporting the Intercounty Connector, making Shuttle-UM safer, resolving the Lot 3 parking issue, making access to freshman parking easier, and countless others – have been a welcome change compared to the generally apathetic mood on campus regarding commuter issues.
For once, someone stood up for commuter students and the university should duly notice it. The Graduate Student Government recently commended the UCA on its advocacy for better commuter facilities and services. The Diamondback, in a staff editorial, suggested the university should do something to reverse its closing of the Office of Commuter Affairs. Why aren’t resources being spent on the larger proportion of the studentry and why is it that it is the first constituency to experienc cuts?
The UCA, under the leadership of President Jahantab Siddiqui, has flourished over the past few months. But as Siddiqui has repeatedly pointed out, he needs as much as help as he can get from students. Which is why commuter students should come together and help the UCA in its efforts to make the campus a better place for those who live off campus.
It’s about time, but finally, students who live off campus have a voice.
Paul Lamari
Senior
Government and Politics
