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Show Friday, May 3, 1991 ditorial Student political activity needs to be resurrected THE SIGNPOST By Necia Palmer Editor-ln-chlef of The Signpost The comments in Wednesday's Pro and Concensus of The Signpost illustrated a problem that plagues this campus; students are either misinformed or uninformed and the level of apathy prevents that situation from changing. Another indicator of that apathy was manifest in the slim number of contenders for Weber's student body executive and senatorial offices. If one travels outside the United States one finds that students at universities are heatedly involved in politics. Several international students at Weber have commented on the political lethargy that exists at Weber State. Traditionally, students in the United State's were also more inclined than students now to make their voice heard on public issues. Maybe this political lethargy stems from the results student uprisings at Kent State incurred back in the 60s. Traditional students are too young to remember those heated times, but their non-traditional counterparts aren't. Non-traditional students, however, often excuse themselves from getting involved in their campus community, citing too many demands on their time outside of the classroom. As many as 50 percent of higher education students are non-traditional in the United States today. That is a lot of people that remain inactive in their society. This situation cannot and should not last. If it does, we as a people will lose our grasp on democracy and what it means to us as a nation. Students need to know such things how student programs are funded, how institutional buildings are funded, how money is allocated to different aspects of higher education and how influential one's involvement in his or her academic community can be. They need to know how their student fees are determined and what factors are causing them to rise year after year. The Signpost Staff Editor-in-chief Necia Palmar Managing editor Paul B. Johnson News drtof Lorin J. May Senior reporter Joyce Zabrtskie Sporti editor Scott D. Summers Asst. Sporti editor Alan Hinckley Artt editor C. Mark Howard Aut. Arti editor Jennifer Harding Signature editor Sarah Hansen Aut. Signature editor Barry Devlne Special Editions editor Christine Rasmussen Copy editor Shawn Peterson Asst. Copy editor lemice Brldenbecker Photo editor Jim Sawdey Asst. Photo editor Danielle Ma bey Production manager Jay Stoeckl Asst. Production manager Alta Johnson Ads Design manoger Jana Jacobs Ads manager Brandl Johnson Asst. Ads manager Matthew Melkle Secretary Unda Harrington Advisor P. Larry Stable Asst. Advisor - Editorial Dale S. Oberer Publisher Dr. Randolph J. Scott The Signpost Is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during fall, winter and spring quarter. Subscriptions are S9 per quarter. Ad deodllne Is two days before publication. Editor-in-chief 626-712) News Arts. 626-7105 Sports 626-7983 Classifieds 626-6358 Advertising. 626-6359 Fax 626-7401 Production. 626-o3S8 Students need to spend as much time getting "street-wise" as they do becoming "book-wise." One of the ways they can do this is to take advantage of the leadership positions around campus. The most valuable learning situations at Weber are found not in the classroom, but in applying the things learned to serve the campus community.Often, what students complain about could be changed if they would stop talking and get to work changing whatever situation it is that needs to be changed. Other times, the things they complain about are irrelevant because their complaints are uninformed complaints. The parking issue at Weber, for example, has been criticized countless times. Unfortunately, students uneducated on the realities of the situation are the criticiz-ers and few thought-out remedies are offered. Often, students criticizing how student fees are spent are so uninformed that they allegate that money has been spent on projects that have nothing to do with student fees. Now, one can't be involved in everything, there are not enough positions for everyone to fill. But one can do his or her part by getting to know who their student officers are, by asking those officers questions, offering educated opinions on ho w things can be better run and being a part of their academic community. Weber State's '91-'92 student body officers should undertake the difficult but necessary task of educating the student body on issues that affect their academic community.They should continue programs to fund the library, develop community outreaches to establish Weber's role as a metropolitan university and increase public awareness of the services Weber offers its constituents. Yet, the students also need to do their part. They need to become involved in the committees that will carry student body plans to fruition and make a difference in their community. 4 FREE THE nr .fwk r I n free Disgruntled students need to be better informed before criticizing To the editor: Janette White was quoted as saying in Wednesday's Signpost that the new officers "... shouldn't be spending our money on such inappropriate things such as the alumni building." If J. Willard Marriott could read that statement he would turn over in his grave. The Alumni Center project is completely funded by private donations from students who have Letter to editor policy The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be typed and should not exceed 300 words. For lengthier exposition, arrangements may be made with the editlor-ln-chlef. Letters must Include name, address, phone number, relationship to WSU (I.e. student, staff, Ogden resident, etc.) and the signature of the writer. Letters without this Information will not be printed. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Bring letters to the editorial office In UB 267 or send them to: The Signpost Weber State University Ogden. UT, 84408-2110 AH: Editor-in-chief jl&s r a w graduated from Weber State and other friends of the university. But even if "our" money was spent on the Alumni Center it would be a worthy investment. The Alumni department of the university assists in securing thousands of dollars each year to benefit students who are now attending. Alumni donations have provided the Marriott Allied Health Building, the Stewart Bell Tower, the Stewart Library, the Dee Events Campus clutter cuts clean University image To the editor: I have put off writing this letter for quite some time in hopes that with the further onset of spring and the campus coming into bloom that the problems might rectify themselves.I am not a botany major, so don't assume that this is a radical plea for plant life, although it ought to be. Okay! What the hell, it is. This campus has started to look pretty bad in the last several weeks. We have sidewalks but it seems easier to walk across the wet lawn ripping out our own little path as we go. While walking into the social science building, I passed the giant ash tube, surrounded by a good two feet on all sides by cigarette butts. How big docs it have to be to Center, several scholarships and even the McKay Dee Hospital. It's easy to see that these assets are worth millions. Even though White's heart was probably in the right place, it seems unfair to criticize something that she doesn't know about. ASWSU officers enjoy student input but only if it's accurate; it makes their job easier. Todd Murdock WSU student score? There are days when you can see trash all over the front lawns. One thing I really don't understand; when you are going into the business building from the mall, why cut down the hill through the fitzers when the stairs are right there. I saw one guy heading up towards the bell tower, pass by the stairway entrance and skid his way down the hill to the door. What's you problem? True, we could use a weed cater around some of the buildings, but with a campus as small as ours we ought to be taking care of it better than we arc; after all we are paying for it and didn't we just pass Earth Day or something? Cary Kcllcrslrass WSU student |