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Show Friday, September 10, 2004 Editor-in-Chief: Natalie Clemens Editorial VIEWPOINT 1 k Caaftfefeft KERNE U MESSAGES M E SENATE, I HWIENB/ER6EEN Faculty evaluations should be brought to light At the end of each semester, students perform the familiar routine of anonymously filling out evaluation forms for their professors. They turn the tables and grade each professor on subjects like course content, teaching quality and the overall experience of the course. Then the evaluations take a journey to the depths of the Stewart Library in the media reserve. Two questions pertaining to course effectiveness and professor effectiveness tell students not nearly enough about the professor they intend to spend hundreds of dollars on. Not only do the evaluations contain insufficient information about the faculty members, they reside in one of the most inconvenient locations on campus. However, there is hope for students interested in what ratings a professor received without trudging down to the basement of the Stewart Library to gaze at those all-important two questions that were answered in 2001. In the spring of this year, then Student Senate Chair Johnathan Aubrey brought a proposal before the Faculty Senate requesting that faculty evaluations be posted online. The Faculty Senate OK'd the proposal and sent it back to the WSUSA for implementation. The only thing left is the actual appearance of faculty evaluations online. The issue will be brought up in the Student Senate in the next couple of weeks. While some professors may cringe at the thought of not-so-favorable student feedback being posted online, it's vital in order for students to have a real choice in which classes they take and from whom. The University of Utah has faculty evaluations online for all to see, complete with nine responses to questions about the professor's performance. Weber State University must follow suit with the U of U and many other campuses across the country. It's the only way to make sure students aren't shortchanged when it comes to course selection. With faculty evaluations at their fingertips, students will have a bigger say on which professor's classroom they'll take a seat in. It's time the evaluations leave the Stewart Library and be presented in the open. As the cost of higher education rises, shouldn't the quality as well? Phone: 626-7121 ANDMERITAE The Don' makes Kerry an offer he can't refuse As homework, Clinton probably ordered Kerry to study the following screenplays: "Apocalypse Now" (alternatively titled "When Swift Boats Go Totally Out of Looks like John Kerry's heretofore- Control"): No good can come of going slapdash campaign has given the back upriver in Vietnam. If you do, Phantom of the Ozarks a coronary. beautiful friend, it could be the end. Had Bill Clinton been in office "Broadcast News": Never let a news when he got word that he'd need cycle go by without responding to quadruple bypass surgery, I'd have partisan attacks. Political message probably accused him of stealing the mandarins cringed when Kerry let six or final scene of the Republicans' New seven of them elapse before addressing York extravaganza with yet another the Swift boat vets' accusations. There's weakness of the flesh. no such thing in politics as not dignifying The Democrats' best actor, star and something with a comment, unless it's maestro, denied a supporting role by Al telling Tim Russert that you won't dignify Gore four years ago, had been reduced it with a comment. to playing bit parts and making wildly "She's Having a Baby": And she may received cameo appearances. have to sell her first-born to pay her But on the eve of the former medical bills if she's one of the 45 million president's heart surgery, after a 90- Americans without health insurance. minute-long phone call with Democratic A smart Democratic campaigner - The Signpost Editorial Board candidate Kerry, Clinton has emerged in would engage in Chinese water torture another role, one that makes use of his repetition that 5 million Americans have campaigning genius: lost coverage on Bush's watch. . The Godfather. "The Money Pit": Big government Weber State University -^ A vveoerotaie university Unlike Gore, Kerry seems to have has ballooned under Bush and America heeded Don Vito Clinton's wisdom. He is spending like the owner of a fixershould. upper with a Home'Depot charge card. Love him or loathe him, Clinton Between now and November, Kerry is a brilliant politician with a proven needs to question why a party that Editor-in-Chief Natalie Clemens 626-7121 track record of getting elected {are you represents smaller government and Managing Editor Maria Villasenor 626-7641 listening, Al?), the first Democrat to do so fiscal responsibility has run up a record News Editor Shane Farver 626-7655 since 1976 and the first to serve two full $422 billion deficit, especially since that Sports Editor Ryan Howe 626-7983 terms since Franklin Roosevelt. includes the largest increase in nonCopy Editor William Hampton 626-7659 He's also an expert at shifting the defense spending since the 1960s. Features Editor Roy Pyatt 626-7621 scene, moving the spotlight off him "Wall Street": So much for '80s Entertainment Editor Colleen Batchelor 626-7105 and onto his opponent, a role Kerry nostalgia. For a Democratic tax plan to Business Editor Candice Dallin 626-7624 desperately needs to understudy after sell, Kerry will have to battle Gordon Photo Editor Mo Williams 626-6358 being unable to deflect criticism from Gekko's infamous greed-is-good Graphics Editor Samuel T. Platt 626-7661 disgruntled Swift boat veterans. philosophy. He'll also have to loudly Online Edito6 David Adams 626-6356 That would have been child's play for champion all the Blue Star Airlines Advertising Manager Devon Cms 626-6359 Clinton, a man who wielded the Teflon worker-types out there whose jobs are Office Manager Georgia Edwards 626-7974 sword so skillfully that he survived the equivalent of yesterday's ticker tape. Advisior Allison Hess 626-7499 several noted cases of trollop rash and While Kerry should heed Clinton's Distribution William Hampton 626-7974 successfully saddled Republicans with advice, he can't afford to look like Publisher Dr. Randy Scott the blame for shutting down the entire the Don's stand-in or a placeholder 626-6464 federal government in 1995. Signpost Fax for Ms. Corleone's star turn. He must 626-7401 The Signpost Is published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during As the presidential campaign barrels convincingly explain why the lead actor the semester. Subscription is $9 a semester. The first copy of The Signpost toward its closing act, Kerry needs to should be fired and why he can credibly is free, each additional copy Is $.50. take a master class at the foot of Clinton's play commander in chief. • The Signpost Is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by hospital bed. While not privy to their With two months until Election Weber State University students. Student fees partially fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed conversation, I suspect the Don told him Day and Best Actor Clinton back in the by the university. to stop playing Audie Murphy and start limelight, Kerry would be wise to try for a - The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include name, channeling George Patton. sequel instead of a remake. address, telephone number and the writer's signature. Anonymous letters The By Browyn Lance Chester Knight Ridder Tribune Signpost will not be printed. - The Signpost reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Bring letters to the editorial office in SUB 267, mail to: The Signpost, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, 84408-2110. •% Attn: Editor In Chief, emaif thesignpost@weber.edu Send your letters to THESIGNPOST@WEBER.EDU |