Economics and 2-mile rule
Starting after this month, approved housing for BYU will be limited to a two-mile radius. The intentions of this policy were to benefit the communities of Provo and Brigham Young University. According to the Provo city government Web site, the policy was made “to foster redevelopment of the built environment close to campus, providing affordable, quality housing opportunities to support the university and providing neighborhood-scale commercial services within a walkable community.”
However, apparent considerations were not taken to address possible rent increases. With an increase of students within a limited area, there is a consequential increase in demand for housing spaces. According to supply and demand, if demand is high and supply is limited the monetary value of the demanded good will increase. With the new policy in place, more students will be restricted to live in a limited amount of spaces. The demand, therefore, will increase followed by a jump in prices to rent these properties.
If rent prices are allowed to increase without regulation, Provo’s ability to provide “quality, affordable housing” might be jeopardized. To prevent this from happening, action needs to be taken. One proposal would be authorizing a rent ceiling, which would adequately regulate rent prices and prevent overcharging. This protects students financially and maintains the goal of SCAMP to provide affordable housing.
Lacey Lyman
North Powder, Ore.
Free speech compromised
The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the right to free speech, that is of course if you do not offend those who have become the moral compasses of the United States, the Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson.
While I am not condoning what Don Imus said in relation to the Rutgers women’s basketball team, he is guaranteed freedom to make such comments. I must have forgotten we live in a state of communism where we are dictated as to what we listen to and watch on the television.
I am ashamed of individuals whot have called for the firing or resignation of Don Imus. What is that saying about the principle this nation was founded on over 200 years ago? Let us only look at Imus in a negative light, and not focus on anything positive about a man that has raised more than $40 million for charity since 1990. Let us only look at the negative and not allow the man an opportunity to make amends.
William Webster
Torrance, Calif.
Protest crossed line
In regards to the article titled “Alternate graduation exercises suggested” (April 12) the line of protesting has now been crossed. Up until this point in time, I have not gotten involved in the Dick Cheney matter because: One, I know very little about politics, and two, I fully support the view everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But when students are combining forces to raise money and get an alternative speaker for graduation, the protest has become way out of line.
He is the vice president of the United States for crying out loud. Give him the respect he deserves. Having an alternative speaker for graduation would be a disgrace to our school and quite embarrassing to anyone who would support such manners. You may not agree with everything Cheney has to offer, but as a leader of this nation, he is entitled to the utmost respect.
Shelly Wright
Denver, Colo.
Ceremony not political
Recently I have become confused about the events occurring on April 26. With all of the political protests and news articles I am unsure whether I am going to attend a political rally or a commencement ceremony.
I want both parties to know my family is split both Democrats and Republicans. They are both flying thousands of miles to attend graduation ceremonies at BYU. Although many family members do not agree with the decisions made by the current government administration, they are still attending commencement. Why? Because the event on April 26 is not a political rally or forum, this is a graduation commencement. By now both parties have gotten enough attention. Utah and the rest of the world know there are both Democrats and Republicans at BYU.
I would like to direct my next words to the College Democrats, or anyone else deciding whether to attend this planned “Peace Rally.” It has been said this “Peace Rally” will not be obtrusive or detract from graduation. Is not the entire point of a rally to attract attention? And if you did not want to detract from graduation, why would you request a location in close proximity to the Marriott Center? If you plan on rallying during graduation you will only lessen the experience of graduation from proud family members and in so doing will be wielding your own selfish agenda because this is not about politics.
Raymond Grams
Eagle, Wis.
Listen to minority voice
When Dick Cheney protesters are criticized, the critics often point out that these liberal protesters would not be upset if a prominent Democrat were invited to speak, even though a Democratic speaker would not represent the entire student body. However, our Republicans should keep in mind that their fellow Democratic students are a minority.
The reality for any BYU Democrat is that they are significantly outnumbered by their Republican counterparts. Democrats are certainly increasing in numbers, however, they are still the smaller team on BYU’s political playing field.
Any prominent Republican speaker, whether perceived as a war criminal or not, does not support the minority voice. Of course Democrats would not be upset by a Democratic speaker – such a speaker would provide a voice for the minority cause. It would work against the stereotype all BYU students are Republicans – it would be a more Democratic gesture.
When a Cheney supporter claims Democrats are hypocritical, they forget our Democratic students are still a minority. Perhaps Democrats have a right to be upset a false stereotype is being propagated. Every once in a while we need to give the minority a chance to speak up, or we run the risk of smearing injustice on our student body. Whether or not that voice should speak at commencement is another issue, and it is hard to blink at an invitation extended by the brethren, but we should treat our Democratic minority with more respect when they feel their voice is being ignored.
Becca Lee Jensen
Seattle, Wash.
Reaction, not action
A recent house editorial in The Daily Universe (April 10) praised football Coach Bronco Mendenhall for taking swift action to suspend some of his players for their recent deplorable actions. He may have had a swift reaction, but I do not see any swift action (or any action at all for that matter) to clean up the team. On the contrary, by everything I have read and heard, somebody seems to be making a lot of flawed decisions regarding our “illustrious” team.
A few years ago, we had 14 players disciplined for honor code violations (ranging from assault and robbery to group sex and alleged rape). Now we can add some tally marks under breaking and entering this year thanks to two more team members.
I recognize Coach Mendenhall was not the head coach a few years ago during the 14 incidents mentioned previously. I am not laying any blame to him. I think the problem is we are recruiting and pampering players who do not care about BYU values. A recent account I heard pointed out that the football players are even given money for clothes so they can look good around campus.
I am sure there are currently many team members that are fully obedient and good people. I am just asking for an entire team of them. I don’t even care if we lose a few games as long as I don’t have to be afraid of some of the people walking around campus.
David Blackmer
Draper
Question facts
I couldn’t help but notice the front-page story in The Daily Universe about salary inequality at universities (April 13). The article made the ridiculous claim the football coach at the University of Alabama makes more ($4 million per year plus bonuses) than the entire annual budget for the school ($3.5 million).
All I can say is I’d hate to work at the U of A. It’s a school with 23,878 students and over 1,000 faculty members. That means if the entire annual budget went for faculty salaries, the average wage would be a whopping $3,500 per year (even though this same article claims a few paragraphs earlier that a full-time professor, on average, makes $101,774 in the U.S.) Um. I’m speechless.
I realize this is a student newspaper, but please, somebody proofread it.
Somebody teach the student writers to question at least the outrageous and obviously absurd “facts.” A five-minute search on the U of A Web site reveals the school brought in $108 million in cash and pledges last year and salary merit increases for the year were $52 million. If we assume about as many staff as faculty, the merit increases alone averaged about$26,000 per employee.
So, what was the actual point of claiming the football coach’s salary exceeds the school’s budget? It had to be football coaches are making way too much money. But it appears Alabama can easily afford Nick Saban’s salary and bonuses, especially if he can fill the school’s 92,138-seat stadium every game. What kind of journalism are we teaching here at BYU? Yellow or responsible?
Roger Terry
BYU Studies
Summer sales reps only seek good employees
A recent article wondered why summer sales companies try to recruit students at BYU. Read the following, and you will better understand why they come.
Just imagine you are the boss of a summer sales company. You need to find people who are hard workers, and can go from door to door. You want someone who will be successful at selling a product, can adapt to a new city or state, and won’t give up at the end of a hard week. You want someone who is a responsible and accountable, self-motivated worker. Finally, you’ll hire those with confidence in themselves, and those who will make sales for the company.
Do you see where I’m going? You go to BYU because the place is filled with returned missionaries who have skills and experience. Therefore, recruiters are not trying to trick you. Selling is not for everyone. Basically they are looking for the best sales people in the world. They look for those who need a job, money and experience. Why not go to BYU?
Tanner Gibb
Provo
Find smaller classes
You walk into class and find a seat. You look around and see the 100-plus other people sitting around waiting for class to start. The professor walks in and you realize no one would notice if you weren’t there. Later in the day you walk into TMA 150 and find every single one of the 20 other people knows your name. While we know some large classes are necessary, the opportunity to have a small class is a breath of fresh air. With big classes it is difficult to get to know the professor, class participation and learning are hindered by PowerPoint presentations and group interaction will prepare students for the workplace is nonexistent.
BYU professors are some of the most respected and talented people, but large classes sometimes make it hard to get to know them. Students in part come to BYU to associate with the talented students and professors. In a large lecture this opportunity is not there. Students should take advantage of the people at BYU by taking smaller classes whenever possible. BYU should offer more small classes taught by actual professors and not just TAs and grad students.
The next time you walk into a class where no one would notice if you fell off the face of the earth, push for smaller class sizes and learn to find the classes like TMA 150 where your ideas count and your learning is progressed by the talented people of BYU.
Mike Witting
Puyallup, Wash.
Avoid casualness, sloppiness
I heartily disagree with the letter “Unrealistic expectation” (April 13). Shame on you for encouraging casualness and sloppiness. To all the girls who wear make up, high heels and who care about how they look, I say thank you. It is people like you who make this world a prettier place to live in. Our bodies are fantastic gifts from God and we should care about how we look and how we present ourselves.
Wearing pajamas and other ultra casual dress shows disrespect for the university, for ourselves and for everyone around us. Professional appearance inspires confidence and respect; dress codes exist for this reason. Of course we should look beyond clothes and appreciate people for who they are. Looks aren’t everything; they’re just mostly everything.
Matthew Crandall
Twin Falls, Idaho
Why fired up?
I am sure some people, especially girls, have been outraged a bit by the comments in “Be presentable, ladies” (April 13). But other girls I have talked to about the letter agree with it. So, as a female, I want to say I agree with the idea the author was really trying to present, the idea that “there is something to be said for someone who puts extra effort into presenting himself or herself.”
My parents taught me the importance of taking some pride in my appearance. I think pajamas should be reserved for the apartment or bedroom. There’s something more personal about them, and I personally don’t want to let just anyone see me in them. I don’t think it’s insulting or that it makes men superficial for wanting a girl that looks nice. How often have we heard the General Authorities talk about the standards of dress and appearance as well?
I will continue wearing my sweatshirts occasionally. I like them, they’re comfortable, so I am not going to give them back. Perhaps the author implies sweatshirts are not becoming on girls because there are other things they could wear to make them look better. I admit, when I do dress up a little more, I usually do feel better about myself, and probably think guys think I look better too. So really, why get fired up over this idea?
Whitney Worthen
Puyallup, Wash.
