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Show 3 editorial F.ditorials editor: Patrick Parkinson Phone: 626-6358 & f'sV. front? & , Jool7 " S v C AT 1 3 )! A-tO DX Ms .VAT p.o'O j I 1 ?aiiP)T rs) j II . a 1 -tlAT u Arc f'oO. N . Hot.' 3 2 - , -Wfflf' I Words can heal or hurf I was never a bully growing up, but I had more than my fair share of fistfights. The older I got, though, the less I fought, and about fourth grade something strange started happening. After a fight, even when I'd come out on top, I would break down crying. There was something primitive and angry inside me, and something soft and noble, too. Pride, anger or the duty to defend the weak drove me to mash many lips and noses. Then the sight of my injured opponents wretched my heartstrings, and I wept in agony and victory. Recently, a couple of letters have appeared in this paper that have offended me, and twice I felt that primitive, angry place bum within me. With fingers instead of fists, I pounded out my replies in hard-hitting language. But two things stopped me from finally submitting those compositions. C-Y :;), .Si Don Preston McConkie Pundit in the Pillory First, time passed and a softer place inside was rubbing painfully against the harder spot. Second, I knew the man I was replying to. Oh, how easy it is to shoot when you don't see the bullets land! A man becomes the enemy and he ceases to be a person; he is merely a target. Up the cannon's throat goes the shell and powder, the no. 1 man pulls the lanyard and 20 miles away, bits of hot metal do their murderous work. But it's all just an exciting, noisy fireworks display until hours later, when you've stopped next to a pile of sand and seen a hand sticking out of it, and wondered if your shell was the one that turned a human into a bump in the desert. If you see a face staring stiffly at nothing, you may stare for a while yourself, then whisper, "Man, get up!" And if you're still waiting for the order to move out, you might start to cry. If not then, you'll do it later. This column is like the howitzer I helped to man in Iraq. Shooting it was easy, and I never saw the shells land. Kot words only kill sometimes, but they maim every time. They're self-guided missies, seeking tine most vulnerable targets. They replica'te themselves and never lose power, striking anew each time they're repeated or read. Conflict generates more conflict. If a newspaper gets caught in the middle, that's fine; readership increases. But in the meantime, I have a soul and it cries out for peace. letter to the editor Parkinson hears it from Landscaping This letter is in response to Patrick Parkinson's editorial regarding the watering schedule on campus. The editorial stated watering in the middle of the day is wasteful and inconvenient to students walking. The article also mentioned the lack of knowledge with xeriscapes. We, in the landscape department, agree whole-heartedly with the statement concerning watering during the hottest part of the day as being wasteful. However, if you had done your homework and researched why there is water on during those hours, you would have found it is not the incompetence of landscape department personnel, but lack of manpower and funds. I believe this is the same comment you sarcastically wrote in your editorial as being doubtful. The landscape department is responsible to maintain the systems and landscape that is already established. The irrigation system is run off of different water sources and different pumps. The sprinklers themselves are old and manual. Very little of the system has been replaced by automatic sprinklers. The budget allocated between the departments of the physi cal plant barely maintains the necessities, so replacing the old system is a slow process. The watering schedule is very complicated due to the lack of water pressure, amount of water held in our reservoir, size of campus, system breaks, scheduled events and other duties of landscape personnel. The landscape department is comprised of approximately 14 full-time workers. These workers are very dedicated and generally start their day watering at 4 a.m. Due to events and mishaps with the system, they are generally back again at 10 p.m. The landscape department is not only responsible for the watering, they are responsible for mowing, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, planting, spraying, trash cleanup, painting fields, hauling debris, plumbing, digging, snow removal, repair and maintenance of equipment, minor road work and aerating. In order to complete these various tasks, our department is composed of individuals with bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, master gardener certificates, pesticide licenses, back hex; and forklift certification, water conservation certificates and commercial driver's licenses. Employees are required to attend various seminars throughout their employment. Our department also devised an educational program for new employees to obtain these credentials. In respect to xeriscaping, the landscape department agrees with the use of more adaptable species. However, the final landscaping decisions are made within the Department of Architectural Services. The landscape department recommends what plants to be used and where, but the end result is usually not what we want. The end result is usually a low water tolerant plant planted with a high water tolerant on a steep hillside. This is definitely not what we want. The xeriscape project is a joint effort involving many different people on and off campus. Dennis Miller is the representative on the committee for the landscape department. He is also on the committee for the Environmental Task Force, a master gardener and holds a Utah State Pesticide Applicators license. A portion of Dennis Miller's time on these committees is his own personal time, due to his own interests and willingness to make a difference at WSU. To you, Mr. Parkinson, I would offer this advice: you are in the business of reporting news, so please, get the facts first. Dennis Miller & Jennifer Johnson Health insurance needs student input Because Weber State University has a policy which states ev ery international student must have health insurance, it would make sense for our school to offer the most accessible and economical plan available to its student body. WSU.reccntly made a switch from United Healthcare to Edu-cators Insurance Company. This decision may suggest the university has not fully considered the needs of its international students.Health insurance is available from the university for all students. Last year, through United Healthcare, a single student's annual premium was $568. With EIC, tine premium has been raised to $622. The deductible has also increased, from $ 1 50 to $250. When the deductible is reached, EIC will begin paying only 80 percent of approved medical expenses. United paid 85 percent. Last spring, United Healthcare was ready to terminate its contract with WSU. The amount of money die company was paying out was more than what they were making from students' premiums. However, an agreement was reached and United Healthcare decided to stick around and maintain its current coverage. But, the university chose not to stay with United Healthcare, and autho- wmmtEm rized the switch at the end of tine 1997-98 schcx)l year. A committee, composed of faculty and staff, were supposedly involved in the decision. But where were the students? The Signpost is concerned that switching insurance companies has not only raised students premiums, it has also limited student's accessibility in insurance matters. Before, with United, there was a person on campus who could directly handle students' concerns. Students were able to pay their insurance premiums at WSU's cashier window. With EIC, students must submit their concerns and claims to Juliana Larscn, director of WSU's student health center. She then contacts the company, or the students can call the company themselves. Many of WSU's international students are still developing their English skills. And even those who know English are often not prepared to effectively understand insurance jargon. As you can imagine, speaking to an insurance agent over the telephone about a claim or discrepancy might be difficult if you have only spoken the language for a few months. At WSU, students who desire, can have a direct impact on many of the universities important decisions. The Signpost supports the creation of a committee, fully or partially operated by students, to annually review tine status of our student healthcare plan. Any decisions, like last spring's switch, would require student's approval before they could be carried out. By Patrick Parkinson editorials editor-The Signpost Recipient of the UPA General Excellence award Editor in chief Taylor S. Fielding 626-7 121 Managing editor Tyler A. Holt 626-7614 News editor Kan Lynn Harland 626-7655 Campus affairs editor Julianne Hancock 626-7659 Lifestyles editor Angela Wadman 626-7624 Sports editor Joey Haws 626-7983 Copy editor Angie Welling 626-7105 Editorials editor Patrick Parkinson 626-6358 Graphics editor Anne Gukeisen 626-6358 Photo editor Graham Sykes 626-7661 Advertising mngr. Rcbckah Woods 626-6359 Online editor 626-7507 Secretary Georgia Edwards 626-7974 Adviser Dr. Shercc Joscphson 626-6164 Publisher Dr. Kalhy Edwards 626-6559 Signposl fax 626-7401 The Signpost is published Monday. Wednesday and Friday during fall, winter, and spring quarters. Subscription is $9 a quaner. The Signpost is a student publication, wnlten. edited ;ind drafted by Weber Slate University students Student fees fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by llic university. The Siynprnl welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include name, address, telephone number, relationship to staff and the writer's signature. The Signposl reserves the right toed it for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right lo refuse to print any letter. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Bring letters to the editorial office inUB267,ormailto: 7Vic5i;;ipr. Weber SlaleUniversily.Ogdcn. Utah 84-108-21 10. Attn: Taylor S. Fielding. |