University to blame for housing
The announcement that Resident Life will randomly force hundreds of juniors out of housing next year and will continue to expel rising seniors as well (including some uncertainty regarding South Campus Commons and University Courtyards) is not entirely unexpected, given the school’s housing crunch. But that does not make up for the fact that the university administration allowed the housing crisis to reach this point. The university knows there are alarmingly few safe and affordable options for off-campus housing as it is. Of course the city is unhelpful in allowing for acceptable off-campus student housing; it always has been. The state will always cite budgetary woes as a reason for not funding new on-campus housing. But the university administration should be advocating effectively for us, its students. It has dramatically failed, bringing us to this unfortunate predicament. Any of the solutions the school has proposed could only help years in the future, when most of us will have left. For now, there are too many applicants being admitted each year, and too many students who want to live on campus due to poor housing options elsewhere. As a result, multitudes of students are being kicked onto the streets with nowhere to go. So, to the university administration in regards to the bad news: You are to blame, and you have let us down.
Deborah Felsenthal JuniorPsychologyMaryland Media, Inc.Student-At-Large Representative
Crass and tasteless column
In response to Lindsey Warne’s, “Phone 4-play” (Oct. 16), what the hell? I would expect to find this sort of tasteless article in a magazine such as Cosmopolitan, but not a respectable source of journalism such as The Diamondback. This article is completely classless in every meaning of the term. I fail to understand how there are not bigger things going on in the world for the staff of The Diamondback to opinionate on than how some students use their monthly text messages.
The crass subject is surpassed only by the heinous way in which the author feels the need to insert explicit examples that illustrate what she is talking about. One, maybe two, is justified, but mentioning at least five different ways one of these messages could be worded is completely unnecessary. Call me innocent, but I believe the author made her point the first time. Or was it necessary for her to repeat herself because she enjoys “editorial intercourse”?
The article was nothing but a base form of entertainment, a pathetic attempt to gain readers who have no interest in actual worldly events. This article not only reflects badly on other opinion writers at The Diamondback, but on the entire staff of The Diamondback. As a freshman at the university, I opened the paper expecting to find articles and opinions relevant to the school, not some tactless attempt at humor. Next time I look for sex tips, I will be sure to trade in my copy of Glamour for The Diamondback. Until then, I will find a more respectable source for my news.
Michael Strunck FreshmanHistory Major
Alumni Association works for students
In response to Clara Morris’ humorous, but misleading “Questions of etiquette” (Oct. 19) I’d like to address what the Alumni Association does for students.
While we work to be the “friendraisers” for the institution, we also invest in the growth and development of students – our future alumni. We host several programs to contribute to students’ learning. The Etiquette Dinner has been hosted each fall and spring for over six years. Fireside Chats provide opportunities for students to connect with and learn from alumni. Last year’s Fireside Chat speaker Kevin Plank, class of 1997, founder of Under Armour, gave his personal e-mail to more than 100 students in attendance. We also collaborate with Student Affairs to promote learning outside of the classroom.
In addition, we create many mentoring connections for students – on an individual level, through our Alumni Association internships and via our volunteer programs with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the University Career Center. We aim to engage alumni in helping students as they transition from the campus, but we are also invested in enhancing the quality of the student experience while they are here on the campus.
The success of the Etiquette Dinner – its longevity and positive evaluations – speaks to the value of the program to those who attend. While dining etiquette may seem trivial, it provides an opportunity to learn and refine skills that complement an academic education and can add to students’ competitiveness in the global workforce. Clara poses a few questions that are actually answered in the dining tutorial. I hope she and many readers will have the opportunity to experience the Etiquette Dinner firsthand.
Tailgates are a big part of our Alumni Association programming, however, they are geared toward our alumni and resemble a festive pre-game picnic more than the spirited celebrations in Lot 11. Game-day activities include Kick-off crafts for children who aspire to be future Terps, merchandise and food and beverage sales in our alumni home on the campus, Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center. If you would like to join alumni for the two remaining home games, you can experience it for yourself!
Our student tagline, TerpNation Starts Here: Student Now, Terp Forever, expresses our intentions to build an awareness of the Alumni Association and an affinity toward our alma mater so each student remains a Terp for life. These college years are merely the first chapter of your university story. We welcome your feedback and creativity as we develop meaningful programs for students and alumni.
Remy Shaffer GomesClass of 2000 Director of Student Programs and Advocacy
Air Your Views
The Diamondback welcomes your comments. Address your letters or guest columns to the Opinion Desk at opinion@dbk.umd.edu. All letters and guest columns must be signed. Include your full name, year, major and day- and night-time phone numbers. Please limit letters to 300 words. Please limit guest columns to between 550 and 700 words.Submission of a letter or guest column constitutes an exclusive, worldwide, transferable license to The Diamondback of the copyright in the material in any media. The Diamondback retains the right to edit submissions for content and length.
Policy: The signed letters, columns and cartoon represent only the opinions of the authors. The staff editorial represents the opinion of The Diamondback’s editorial board and is the responsibility of the editor in chief.
