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OPINION
| UPDATED April 16
Letters
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| The Shorthorn: David DeGrand |
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Student Governance coverage turns around
Re: “See You at the Polls,” April 11
After being an involved student at UTA for four years and now an
alumna, I have found myself mad at The Shorthorn for misquotes and
sometimes misleading articles about Student Governance and student
organizations.
However, today I’m happy to say the editorial about the importance
of voting was great. I’m pleased to know that people are realizing
the importance and impact of student leadership.
Also, during Homecoming 2001, I wrote that I disliked that Homecoming
King Shane Burke’s and Queen Jennifer Posey’s backs, rather
than their faces, were on the cover of the newspaper. However, during
Homecoming 2002, Aris Freeman’s and Sabrina Martinez’s
faces did appear on the cover.
Thank you. — Linh Nguyen, Ms. UTA 2001-02
University should be parts of one whole
The present “brouhaha” over flagship status for UT-Dallas
vs. UTA reminds me of a letter I published in The Dallas Morning
News in July 2000 — the last time this controversy boiled up.
To quote: “Has it occurred to anyone that, if the resources
spent on three doctoral/research universities were concentrated
on one institution, world-class status comparable to UT-Southwestern
Medical School would be possible? Why not a University of Texas
... with two campuses, one in Arlington and one in Richardson?”
Why not indeed?
Such a university would have a single president and a single provost,
with perhaps vice provosts as the senior executive on each campus.
Many courses would be taught on both campuses, but highly selective
specialties would not be duplicated.
Students could take courses on either campus without transferring
credits. Everything would be managed by computer. The Dallas/Fort
Worth Metroplex would have the flagship university it so badly needs.
— Jay Henry, architecture professor
Expect great things from yourself
Re: “Expecting Great Things,” April 11
As you read this, keep in mind that if university budget cuts result
in staff reductions, the situation will affect me, a part-time lecturer,
first and foremost — I would be the first cut.
After reading Andy McMillen’s column “Expecting Great
Things,” I couldn’t help but laugh at the childlike whining
of The Shorthorn’s little liberal columnist demanding the government
not cut the budget. Apparently, McMillen is a victim of “outcome-based
education” and hasn’t learned that two plus two cannot
equal five.
Let me tell you a story about real budget cuts — an aerospace
merger and revamping. At the height of the panic, the corporation
rented a stadium in which to conduct staff reductions. All former
managers, directors and executives were fired but were allowed to
reapply for open positions. Executives could apply for executive
positions. After these positions were filled, former executives
and former directors could apply for director positions.
After these positions were filled, executives could not apply for
any other job at the company. Next, manager positions were filled
with former directors and former managers. Those who didn’t
get these positions were unemployed — End of story.
I can see the expressions of shock on the faces of fully tenured
professors (many of whom have never worked in the “real-world”)
if College of Engineering Dean Bill Carroll were to line them up
in Maverick Stadium and tell them that due to budget cuts, they’re
all fired, but full professors can only apply for ...” Ha!
My primary employer had similar cuts two years ago, but instead
of renting a stadium, they filled the cafeteria.
It amazes me how liberals not only expect but demand the government
do things for them. McMillen states that the university will have
to cut 12.5 percent of its budget and “this is unacceptable.”
No, it’s not unacceptable; it’s reality — deal with
it. Be glad it’s not 25 percent. So many liberals in government
can’t do simple math. When the economy contracts, government
tax revenue shrinks. It’s that simple. The liberals would then
increase taxes but never decrease spending. The government never
does without.
— John Kebrle, mechanical engineering alumnus and lecturer
and a computer science and engineering graduate student
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