Reflection Room lacks true patriotism
Before 1995, the Wilkinson Center housed a substantial Memorial Hall, reverently devoted to those who died protecting this country’s freedom. This hall moved to the smaller Memorial Room, which honored them with suitable displays, but is now replaced by the mockery of the “Reflection Room.”
I don’t know the “Wilkinson Center Friendly Committee” decision makers, but visualize politically correct snowflakes, melting at the thought a patriotic display may offend someone. While inferring good intentions, even after reflection I feel indignation about this room, which now dishonors the memory of those who “fought and bled out their lives” (Alma 60:9). Unfortunately, this room does remind me of those sitting in a secure “state of thoughtless stupor” (Alma 60:7), ignoring the ones who sacrificed for the very freedom that allows them to ponder and meditate about their high-stress lives of “tests, homework, and dating.” The United States flag is no longer even displayed. What a travesty.
I anxiously await the time when we will beat our swords into plowshares and welcome the Prince of Peace Himself to reign personally upon the earth. Until then, as long as North Koreas and Irans exist, we should defend freedom and truly honor those who have. Fitting paintings, worthy of reflection, might be Captain Moroni raising the Title of Liberty, the 2000 Stripling Warriors, and the Savior driving money changers out of His Father’s house using the whip He made.
If students want a quiet space, create a new one. The former Memorial Room should be restored.
— Morris Argyle
Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering Department
Suggestions for testing center lines
Attending Brigham Young University over the past couple semesters has been an incredible blessing and wonderful opportunity for me. That being said, there are a few things I wish could change. One of the biggest disappointments in my eyes is the performance of the testing center. A series of dramatically long lines that I have stood in this semester have convinced me there must be a more effective way to run the place.
There are plenty of hours in the day where the testing center’s lines are short. Motivating students to take their tests during these hours should be a primary goal of the testing center.
Spreading out the close of test times by just a couple of hours can minimize the wait times induced by having the majority of tests close at the same time that the testing center closes. Within specific courses, the hours that the test is open should vary by section so that not all students are trying to get into the testing center at the same time.
The recent imposition of late fees in the testing center could be inverted. At times when line forecasts are particularly minimal, the testing center could offer a “testing center credit” of a dollar or two. This money could then be used to help students combat late fees. Alternatively, the testing center could offer pocket points (which help students obtain coupons) to students that use the testing center during these empty hours.
The testing center needs more structure to help students avoid long lines.
— Andrew Bonnett
Chesterfield, Missouri
BYU married housing process needs remodel
The contracting process for BYU married housing is a nightmare. Desperate attempt after desperate attempt to get an apartment in either Wymount Terrace or Wyview Park leads young families down a path of hopelessness.
This is how the contracting process works: Each day the family housing office posts the available apartment (if there are any available) for contract on the housing page. To get a chance at contracting for any of the apartments posted, you need to be the first person to click on the apartment for contracting. This happens at exactly 4:00pm each day. So, you need visit the page at exactly 4:00:00 and be the first one to click on any of the apartments. At 4:00:02, all the available apartments will be gone. With my wife, brother, mom, and grandmother all trying every single day to be the first one to click on an apartment, it took me a month to finally get lucky enough to find a contract for an apartment.
To help others avoid this problem, family housing needs to come up with a different system of contracting for an apartment. The way it is done now causes unnecessary stress and anxiety. A system of signing up on a waitlist and going through available apartments would be a much better alternative than how it is done now. This needs to be changed!
— Spencer Whiting
Kearns, Utah
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