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Show OPINION SUMMER UTAH CHRONICLE www.dailyu tahchronicle.com Pages Friday, May 27, 2005 Students deserve year-round access to field house Commuter Services cares about disabled students Editor: I'd like to clarify a few misunderstandings in Andrew Kirk's May 23 article, "Library loses five parking spaces for disabled patrons." The loss of the five disabled parking spaces occurred because the entire parking lot was shut down as a result of the Marriott Library construction project. Commuter Services had no part in the decision. The loss of parking anywhere on campus is distressing to us and makes our job more difficult. When an entire parking lot is removed from the campus, it impacts everyone, including people with disabilities. Unfortunately, we can only create parking places where there is an actual parking lot. In addition to the main premise of the article, there were other misunderstandings. The article stated that additional handicapped spaces were added during the Olympics. This is incorrect. Before the Olympics, it was our policy to designate handicapped parking spaces based upon actual need, rather than the artificial number required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Consequently, parking lots in the center of campus in most instances exceeded legal requirements. However, subsequent to a lawsuit filed against the university, Commuter Services agreed to limit the number of handicapped spaces to what' is specified by ADA Commuter Services is committed to providing equal access to university facilities through the parking and transportation services we provide. In addition to providing the required number of disabled parking spaces, we have two shuttles dedicated to providing door-to-door service for disabled people everywhere the campus has roads. Students, faculty and staff who qualify for this service can call 581-4189. :?The facilities department ism ^ the process of working on remediation plans to provide additional curb cuts and other pathway improvements. Students needing assistance should contact the Center for Disability Services at 581-5020, and employees should call 581-8365. Alma Allred Director, Commuter Services Editor: The fitness facilities at the University of Utah are inferior. Even worse, though, is their seasonal rejection of students who put up with these poor conditions nine months out of the year. Just because I dropped my sole summer course—and will save approximately $400 by taking it in the fall instead—I am no longer welcome to work out at my school. But for $32 and a copy of my spring schedule, I can be readmitted. I don't know if this policy extends throughout the entire university community, but for someone who resides near campus and contributes to the dynamic that embodies the community, this exclusion is quite disheartening. Instead of requiring last semester's schedule, the field house should request the student's fall schedule and drop the $32 fee in good faith of the student's attendance. Andy Thompson Junior, Communication Online Poll THE C H R O N I C L E ' S VIEW •' - ••.}..^f-,.'"'"" < Survive the holiday by celebrating responsibly M emorial Day weekend traditionally kicks off the summer, and if for that reason alone, it deserves a decent celebration. However, U students who include alcohol in that celebration should take extra care to maintain safety. Drinkers should use designated drivers and cab services to minimize the number of intoxicated drivers on already-crowded roads. Memorial Day weekend is one of the most dangerous times of the year when it comes to driving and traveling. If you can't drink responsibly this weekend, do everyone a favor—just stay home. Travelers who aren't drinking during the holiday should also take care. There are a lot of irresponsible people out there, and they'll be in full force this weekend. As your high school driver's ed. teacher/football coach probably told you, the best offense is a good defense. Watch out for the bad drivers this weekend because they won't be watching out for you. Drinking can also create dangerous situations for those who won't be on the roads as much. Camping, boating, swimming and other outdoor activities should never be combined with alcohol. There are enough ways to get hurt while clifF-div- ing, four-wheeling and marshmallow-roasting. Adding the effects of alcohol is just begging for trouble. Dehydration is another major health concern. This weekend's temperatures are expected to be in the mid-8os, and alcohol can contribute to dehydration. So if you plan to pack your cooler full of Coors, be sure to throw in a few Gatorades. As always, people should be careful to not drink too much this weekend. Last year there were several cases of alcohol poisoning deaths on college campuses in Colorado, Arkansas, Virginia and Oklahoma. While there's nothing wrong with of-age individuals getting a nice buzz, people need to be aware of their limits and aware of those around them. Though we spend a lot of time educating people about the potential dangers associated with drinking, drunk driving and the potential of date-rape drugs being used in alcoholic beverages, we tend to gloss over the fact that drinking too much can just flat-out kill you. Memorial Day is supposed to be about remembering and honoring those who have passed away. So ;v while you're making it happen with the Captain, be careful not put your own health, or the lives of others, in jeopardy. Unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of The Daily Utah Chronicle Editorial Board. Editorial columns and letters to the editor are strictly the opinions of the author. The forum created on the Opinion Page is one based on vigorous debate, while-at the same time demanding tolerance and respect. Material defamatory to an individual or group because of race, ethnic background, religion, creed, gender, appearance or sexual orientation will be edited or will not be published. What will be the biggest movie of the summer? "Batman Begins'l 9 percent 12 Votes •Bewitched"! 1 percent 2 Votes •Charile&TheB 13 percent Chocolate Factory" H . h8 Votes fantastic Four" I 9 percent 12 Votes "Star Wars: Episode III' 6 8 % 93 Vote The Longest Yard* 1 percent 2 Votes Madagascar' 2 percent 3 Votes *Warof the Worlds' 4 percent 5 Votes I I I To vote, visit www.dailyutahchronicle.com Attack of Mustn't-See-TV Network executives lose viewers by dumbing-down programming D ear TV Network Execs, There are forces lurking. Plans are being made and executed. Soon, you will see advertisement dollars dry up as your ratings plummet. No, the Apocalypse isn't imminent—yet. The fact is, people have plenty of reasons to follow the advice of libraries and cultural elitists everywhere and turn off the boob tube. No, I'm not talking about the frightening decline of reading in this country. Nor am I upset about the fact that Americans now resemble Jell-O Pudding more than human beings. (Being a fatty myself, I was elated last month when I heard that overweight people are likely to live longer than those infuriatingly "fit" people. Take that, gym rats!) No, my warning is this: If you keep putting boring, repetitive, unimaginative drivel on TV, we will stop watching. Or worse, we'll only watch cable. The lack of quality network television options has been obvious in recent years, but in the new millennium, it has become more glaring than ever. Glorified karaoke contests. Manipulated backstabbing. People eating things best left in the ground. Reality television is revolting. Trust me folks, it's much more entertaining when it's fictional. It just has to be done right. If you want to hit the reasonablysmart-people demographic, or the upwardly-mobile-college-student demographic, you've got to kick it up a notch. I shudder to think that you dimwit executives at FOX nearly canceled the funniest show on television— network or elsewhere. "Arrested Development" is the kind of show that doesn't come detective! And anything on stanmathematicians dard TV, notably 'rust me folks, solving crimes "Dead wood" using... math! and "Curb Your it's much more What's next? A Enthusiasm." group of Relief USA Network entertaining when its Society members has "Monk." F/X solving crimes by fictional. It just has to be has the muchusing clues they praised "Nip/ done right. find in the quilts Tuck." they tie? ~— Please, I All the while, beg you, oncethe best television on air resides in wise network executives—give us the nether regions of cable program- a break. Schedule some quality ming. HBO has become so self-lauprogramming. We want characters datory it makes me sick. who are real, drama that hurts, But you know what? HBO is right comedy that goes beyond mild lines to gloat. All you network honchos exclaimed with put-upon zest like, passed on the biggest show of the "Don't go there!" last decade—a little drama involving Give us a break, we're smart overweight mobsters and their bigpeople. If you do, I might just start haired women. watching network television again. Not to mention that HBO has Sincerely, other great comedies and dramas A Concerned Television Junkie that can't be touched by almost letters@chronicle.utah.edu T; Judd Nielson around very often —razor-sharp wit so edgy it makes you blush. It's a disgrace that it came so close to being canceled. Do you talking suits even watch the shows you approve? Pamela Anderson as a bookstore clerk? I can just imagine the potential in character development and story arcs with that one. More cop shows, perhaps? With innovative angels like—a blind s.a.d Mike Haring s.Q.d. (stifled adolescent development) Yeah. 19 credits. Uh, you knew that when I said summer; term was a cakewalk I was exaggerating, right? ; mikeyharing@yahoo.com |