Column was correct; Kraus is not good role model for leadership as SGA president
Once again, someone made the Student Government Association president look like a childish idiot. Most recently, Residence Halls Association President Hannah Putman put Aaron Kraus in his place. Not only does Putman use facts in her guest column (“Serving up truth,” Dec. 7), but she uses skill and tact. Instead of suggesting outlandish task force ultimatums and whining about how Dining Services is evil, Putman establishes her credibility early on her way to making the SGA president look like a fool.
However, it is not hard to make Kraus look like a fool. With The Diamondback’s persistent help, Kraus has become the laughingstock of the student body. Remember when he went on a hunger strike? Yeah, that was real clever. I was in bed and I was hungry and I thought, “Aaron, you should go on a hunger strike!” Genius. Or how about this little known story: Kraus was invited to a leadership class open forum as a guest speaker. As SGA president, the invitation seemed reasonable. What respect does he give this invitation? Kraus showed up late and then went on to say such leadership classes “are bulls—.” This was a leadership class full of students, faculty and other campus leaders who think otherwise. Again – genius.
Kraus, when the student body elected you president, they gave you certain power. And, as Uncle Ben told us, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Your responsibility, Mr. President, is to represent the student body with the utmost integrity and intelligence. So far, you have done anything but. Mr. President, you should start keeping your mouth shut and let other, more qualified SGA representatives (for example, Alden Gross) do the talking.
Aaron Taylor
Senior
English and theatre
Problems with a professor or class can be solved by discussion, not by rudeness
It’s a long and worthy tradition for young adults to try to shock their elders. But at least it could be done with more intelligence and creativity than Paul Welcher and Meng-ji Hsieh displayed in their Dec. 7 column, “Rude reaction.”
Any frustrated child can stomp out of class (or preschool) as “revenge” for what he or she thinks is boring teaching. But it takes maturity and courage to do something far more radical: Talk with the teacher. If you’re disappointed with a class, speak with the teacher and explain why. A few teachers may be resentful (if so, speak with the department chair), but most faculty members will respect your forthrightness and try to do better.
In the not too distant future, many students will be in jobs where they will be expected to give presentations. At that moment, they’ll discover it isn’t easy to be witty or entertaining, especially when trying to convey difficult subject matter. Sometimes their presentations will fail. When that happens they’ll expect from the audience what your teachers expect from you: constructive criticism – and courtesy.
Gary Pavela
Director
Judicial Programs
