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Show Vie WS el 0 Pin 10 111 Monday, March 1, 2010 Page 10 Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.aggietownsquare.com OurView AboutUS Editor in Chief Patrick Oden Is just showing up good enough for ASUSU? News Editor Rachel A. Christensen Assistant News Editor Catherine Meidell Features Editor Courtnie Packer W ith the beginning of March brings the final days of this year's ASUSU elections. If you're like most students, you either have no idea that there is an election going on or are simply voting for the most attractive person, or the one who gives out the best swag. This state of mind is perfectly rational and can be attributed to a number of factors, among them being the seemingly random sampling of a handful of candidates out of the tens of thousands of enrolled university students, and the paltry three-day embargo on campaigning. Then again, why campaign at all? Do ASUSU officers have any actual power? The candidates seem to think so. Jon Allen plans on accomplishing free parking in the Aggie Terrace after 3 p.m, a feat that both precedent and bureaucratic normalcy deem improbable. Current president Tyler Tolson, if he wins re-election, plans to forge ahead on a plan to erect a $20 million student recreation center -- a seemingly heavy recession-era price tag for a building that many current students will not be around to see completed. Hopefully everyone likes Brent Crosby. Barring some unforeseen grassroots write-in campaign, the unopposed executive VP candidate will have secured ASUSU's No. 2 spot simply by showing up. Of note is that executive VP, like most of the elected ASUSU positions, comes with a scholarship, an office in the TSC and a healthy portion of ego massage. No election is without its quirks, and our's seems to be no different. In last year's ASUSU election, some senatorial races were decided by a margin of votes small enough to count on your hands. This year, as added entertainment, we have allegations of bribery, disqualifications and the upcoming awkwardness of a special election to decide the senator for the Caine School of the Arts. Apparently, the birth of a new college at our university did not warrant the legislative foresight necessary to include the art students in all the fun of this week's A-frame squawking. So vote. Better yet, round up a few hundred friends on Facebook and write in one of your friends for executive VP. Judging by last year's numbers, they just might win, and you can have them buy you Texas Roadhouse with the money they save with a shiny new scholarship. If all else fails, stock up on as many coupons and candy as you can and then stay away from the sidewalk at the northeast corner of the Quad. They only get one A frame, which makes them conveniently easy to avoid. By next week, the walks will be clear, the Facebook invites and text message solicitations will be gone, and everything will be back to normal with only the most minute and unsubstantial changes. Assistant Features Editor Benjamin Wood Sports Editor Connor Jones Assistant Sports Editor Matt Sonnenberg Copy Editor Mark Vuong Shortchanging our students E ven in the depths of the Great Depression, with the economy bottomed out, Americans showed they could still think big. In just over a year, construction crews built a landmark that still stands proud, one recognized worldwide as a symbol of our country: the Empire State Building. I recently visited the building to speak to an enthusiastic group of King's College students about the need to return to the principles of our Founding Fathers. Unfortunately, as a new study shows, many students simply aren't learning what makes America unique. In fact, what they are learning all too often helps divide rather than unite Americans. This study, titled "The Shaping of the American Mind," is the latest in an annual series from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI.org ), where I'm proud to serve as a trustee. There's no mystery as to why today's college seniors lack basic knowledge of American history and institutions. Previous ISI reports revealed that schools of higher learning aren't teaching these principles. At some elite universities the seniors know less than the freshmen. The reports also show that Americans agree colleges should teach students about our shared history and civic principles. But does knowing the fundamental principles of "the American experiment" influence the beliefs of our citizens? That's what this year's report aimed to find out. ISI researchers directed 33 questions to a representative sample of roughly 2,500 Americans. Many questions were taken from U.S. naturalization exams and high-school achievement tests. The report reached some important conclusions. For example, even though colleges aren't teaching civic See CIVIC, page 11 WEB SITE ASKS PEOPLE TO SHARE THEIR SPENDING HABITS SPARE A BUCK, BUDDY, TO BETA COMPUTER TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT MY SPENDING HABITS? SALE A I vz_°FF H thing is all of these comments come from members of one of the groups I am involved with. The insolence can be breath-taking at times. It is almost as if these people take their stereotyping to a level of artwork. If any of the cross-sectioning groups in my life took the time to educate themselves on the other groups, they could see how important and needed the other groups are. LIFE is an organization built on a foundation of love for everyone. The premise and goal of the organization is to create a safe haven of education, understanding and equality for its members on campus and in the community. Anyone who attends one of its meetings could learn a range of things, including how to communicate with unapologetic contenders of equality, to how to have a successful and healthy relationship while holding down school and work. BSU offers the opportunity to discuss and bring forth topics that affect us as students at USU. Sometimes the topics don't just focus on the race aspect of the club. One of the most recent topics pitted the men against the women on the subject of double standards. It's held in an open environment on the third floor so that people can feel free to come and join in the discussions. The differences of the attendees allow for a broadening of understanding on how complex we sr AU; 5-TAY-5M LTyZjvtue "OK 2.oto C are as human beings. The Pike's living slogan is SLAG (Scholars, Leaders, and Athletes, Gentlemen). We strive to live our lives by this sentiment by working hard to get good grades, serve our community and raise money for worthy nonprofit organizations. We foster an opportunity for men of all backgrounds to join a lifelong brotherhood that includes prominent men such as the late David B. Haight (member, Quorum of the 12 apostles, LDS church), and professor Stephen R. Covey (author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," and newly appointed presidential chair of the Jon H. Huntsman School of Business). All of these organizations have specific things to offer that the other needs, also there are many commonalities. All offer safe environments that provide opportunities for growth and encouragement in their members. If these organizations combined efforts for change and truly educated people on what the root of diversity really is. Their events and work would be more impactful. As it currently stands, these organizations separately make up 1 percent or less of the student body. We need more combined voices and bodies to make a dent in the massive student body's mental impression. Wouldn't it be cool if during the annual Soul Food Dinner, the Pikes Web Editor Karlie Brand About letters • Letters should be limited to 400 words. • All letters may be shortened, edited or rejected for reasons of good taste, redundancy or volume of similar letters. • Letters must be topic oriented. They may not be directed toward individuals. Any letter directed to a specific individual may be edited or not printed. • No anonymous letters will be published. Writers must sign all letters and include a phone number or email address as well as a student identification number (none of which is published). Letters will not be printed without this verification. Bridging divides is key to unified diversity ere at Utah State, I consider myself a "major minority." The prevailing race and culture is made up of heterosexual, Caucasian, LDS (Latter-day Saint) students from Utah. I couldn't be any more different. I am a gay, black, Unitarian Universalist, fraternity man from Texas. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that we have such a broad range of diversity groups. I have come to learn however, that the word "diversity" stands for "divided." Because of the divide, I have found it hard to navigate through the different social organizations. It's sad because I have been split with how to serve all the different groups I belong to. When I think about these organizations members, the chorus of the 1975 hit by War pops into my brain, "Why can't we be friends?" I am a member of the Black Student Union (BSU), Love is for Everyone, the Gay-Straight alliance of Utah State University (LIFE) and an avid member of the Pi Kappa Alpha International fraternity (Pike). Over the course of three years I have heard enough polite backhanded slurs to write a slur book for dummies. "Have fun at your gay club." Or, "Are you going to go to K FC after BSU with your black friends?" This one has to be my favorite, "Oh, you are going to hang out with your frat boys tonight? Don't get too drunk and kill someone." The interesting Photo Editors Pete Smithsuth Steve Sellers and LIFE were the guest servers? Or have a philanthropy event that celebrates diversity and raises money for a diversified nonprofit. So many of these ideas of crossing the battle lines are possible, and there have been steps forward in this initiative, but it takes people with more drive to keep it going. I am willing to walk with you. Are you ready to take the steps toward a more "unified diversity"? In the words of my late mother, "Let's get to steppin'!" Earnest Cooper Jr. is a junior in interdisciplinary studies from Dallas, Texas. Cooper is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and the Black Student Union. Cooper volunteers with GLBTA, is director of the Council of Student Clubs and Organizations and is a member of the Student Advisory Council to President Stan Albrecht. Comments may be left at www.aggietownsquare.com . • Letters representing groups - or more than one individual - must have a singular representative clearly stated, with all necessary identification information. • Writers must wait 21 days before submitting successive letters - no exceptions. • Letters can be hand delivered or mailed to The Statesman in the TSC, Room 105, or can be e-mailed to statesman@aggiemail. usu.edu, or click on www.aggietownsquare.com for more letter guidelines and a box to submit letters. (Link: About Us.) Sound Off Leave your comments on the stories and columns you find in The Utah Statesman at aggietownsquare.com |