Daniel Grimm states in his letter "Fraternity story unfair, not helpful", (SN 7/16) that "the water bill and other utilities" of the Theta Delta Chi house are the responsibility of "the national organization." That statement is incorrect.
I'm writing in response to Jim Howard's letter "Academics should get priority at 'U'" (SN 7/17). I don't know how many times this needs to be said: The general budget and the academic budget are entirely separate, no state funds or tuition dollars pay for our athletic teams. Ticket sales, licensing dollars, TV revenues and donors who wish to support the athletic department fund athletics. If you're concerned about a lack of academic support and services at MSU, then you need to contact your local congressman, senator and the governor and ask them why it is that they are cutting funding.
This letter is in response to the editorial "Couch Calamity" (SN 7/17). I grew up in the Lansing/East Lansing area, attended East Lansing High School and went on to pursue my undergraduate studies at MSU.
Penny-pinching should not be considered a bad thing this fall, as state lawmakers have finally decided the fate of higher education. With the economy on a downward spiral, money is tight.
I would like to comment on John Bice's column "Back to Bible ideals aren't consistent with rest of Good Book" (SN 7/17). I agree with his point that the Bible alone should not be the basis for morality.
If you ask a hundred people the question, "What makes the world go 'round?" you're bound to get a slew of different answers. Some say it's humanity, some say it's nature, some say it's gravity.
MSU officials are right not to cut staff despite facing a $34-million shortfall in research grant funding.
Sitting here in the library reading Sunday's Detroit News sports page ("U-M scrambles to upgrade facilities," 7/13), I have finally realized just how far the "modern" Big Ten universities, MSU especially, have distorted their purpose. As I sit here, trying to get work done before 11 p.m.
"The Bible alone is inerrant, totally free from error." That quote, from an online ministry called "Back to the Bible," seems to echo the faith of many. Faith in the inerrancy of the bible led to a firestorm of Christian anger over the recent Supreme Court ruling, not surprising considering the overturned anti-sodomy laws were rooted in Biblical morality. When speaking on the topic of homosexuality, during a 1998 interview on "Face the Nation," now Attorney General John Ashcroft said "I believe the Bible calls it a sin, and that's what defines sin for me." Ashcroft's thoughts are illustrative of the odd fact that the Bible is still the "moral compass" for many Americans. In fact, it's quite common to hear conservative Christians demanding a "return to the Bible." Supposedly, the ills of our society can be traced to our deviation from the sacred texts.
If you like it or not, East Lansing is a home away from home for students. Reading the article "City Council to put sofas on hot seat" (SN 7/16), truly again showered light on this issue as I read it.
This is in response to "Affirmative action needed, not vote" (SN 7/14). I commend Andrew Handrich for his recognition of the issues in supporting affirmative action and the reasons behind upholding its torch. Affirmative action provides the necessary step in closing the gaps of hundreds of years of oppression on the part of all people.
The income of the average college student generally doesn't allow for the purchase of a good porch swing.
While the article on the Theta Delta Chi house goes to great lengths to portray it as negatively as possible, the writers conveniently fail to mention several things ("Chapter found destroyed," SN 7/10). First, State News members who entered the property to take pictures and rummage through the attic did so in violation of the law.
Every year there are tons of things added to ballots for the "public's voice." Affirmative action is not an issue that is appropriate to put onto a ballot like that ("Calif.
During the March 27-28, 1999 riot, 10,000 MSU students hit the streets after the men's basketball team lost in the NCAA Tournament, causing about $250,000 in damages.
I am a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and the deputy managing editor for The State News. This is a combination that has been, at times, frustrating because of incidents such as the possible condemning of the Theta Delta Chi house. For the past few days I have been thinking about what I have heard from other students and my fraternity brothers about this issue.
Letting Chris Webber off with a slap on the wrist shows that the justice system failed to treat every citizen fair and equal.
In response to the State News story "Test results poorer in urban areas" (SN 7/14), it is no doubt that this is the truth. Unfortunately, the solution proposed by President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" policy pushes public education in the wrong direction.
It's rather ironic how the MSU computer laboratories switched from their reliable, robust and secure grid Sun Solaris mail servers in exchange for a cheaper, low rent and clumsy Dell server.
I somewhat agree with Carl Seidman in his letter "Poor, not minorities, should be rewarded." (SN 7/10). I agree the government should provide relief to poverty stricken communities and work toward bettering education, which is the primary source of inequality.