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Show 9 Wednesday, April 19,2006 797-1762 statesman@cc.usu.edu www.utahstatesman.com Utah Statesman Noise level needs to come down Seating in the new library is not sparse with its cushioned booths, almost recliner-like chairs and sofas; but it is still limited. The overwhelming popularity of the new library and its seating was instantly apparent, especially when you look at the rarely empty information commons area. Students are using the library in large numbers; which at first glance, for those worried about the academic future of our students, appears to be a good sign. We would agree - if you're going to spend that many millions of dollars on a facility, it needs to be utilized. Campus libraries serve many purposes, and in this age driven by electronic information almost none of them relate to physically checking out books. From a place to check e-mail, meet up with a study group, work with a research expert, use the audio or visual equipment or even a place to curl up and read The Statesman away from your roommates, the library is truly a central gathering place. But many students have taken these feelings of community too far. From answering cell phones away from designated areas to chatting loudly in areas meant for quiet study, many students are guilty of detracting from the environment meant to foster learning. Even staff are guilty. The chit-chat they carry on behind the desks can often be overheard from students across the room. As employees of the library, these individuals have the responsibility of setting the tone for the rest of the patrons and need to take some responsibility in both creating and maintaining a quieter placer to gather. The library is a wonderful place to meet people, exchange ideas and continue learning, but all of these things can be done with the proper amount of respect for others around them and at the proper decibel level. If you're adding to the noise ... turn off your phone. Staff Editor in Chief Brooke Nelson News Editor Aaron Faik CHUKUST Assistant News Editor Marie MacKay Features Editor Steve Shinney Our View Blogging trend is media for the masses It never ceases to amaze had the experience and don't me how the Internet has know the rules and ethics changed how the for the field. That world works. Most blogger that you've of us have spent Chrissy Johnson been reading is just the vast majority of some person with our lives not really an Internet connecusing it, but we tion and something couldn't live withto say and doesn't out it now. have all the facts or use the inverted The latest addipyramid and, thus, tion to the nonshould not be lisexpendable uses tened to. for the Internet is blogging. The term That didn't "blog" comes from stop Jayson Blair or "Web log," which Dan Rather, did it? was shortened as What if a noun and also became a you're not savvy to current verb. A person who writes events and couldn't care less a blog is called a "blogger." about politics? You can blog Blogging is anyone who has about your favorite movies, something to say can make books, music, coin collecting a blog and write about it and or wfiy your roommate won't post it on the Internet for stay out of your leftovers. everyone to read. Everyone Blogging can be about anycan participate in opinion thing that's on your mind, so writing. long as you don't care that Everyone can see what's millions of people could read going on in the world and it. everyone can formulate There are many sites that hi own opinion about it allow you to create your own their from their own perspective, blog. MySpace has a blog Everyone has their own ver- feature, but since MySpace is sion of The Way They See mostly about commenting on It (now that sounds vaguely how "lol" your friend's layout familiar). The problem is that is, it's not really the best place there are very few avenues for serious bloggers. I personin which everyone's opinion ally recommend Livejournal y p because it's the one I use. can be published. You can People use Livejournal excluwrite a letter to the editor, but b not everyone's perspec- sive'ly to blog, though some tive is. newspaper-printable, incredibly talented people plus there's tne issue of lim- post their own art and photos ited room on the opinion and things like that. Another great thing about PageWhile I'm a big fan ' of blogging is that many sites writingg letters to the edi- have a comments feature tor, blogging has made it so where people can give everyone's views can be read immediate feedback on your in a medium that so many topic. They can heap much people now have. Expressing praise on you or tell you that an opinion is no longer lim- you're off your rocker. Either ited to those with the air- or way, writers love feedback, page-space that broadcast whether it's positive or negaand print journalists have. tive, Speaking of journalists, Also, your blog doesn't blogging is not without its have to be politically corcritics. There have been a few rect. You are the writer and in the journalism field here and there that protest bloggers being taken seriously. They say that bloggers haven't see P*ge 70 Assistant Features Editor Emma Tippetts Sports Editor Andrea Edmunds Assistant Sports Editor Bryan Hinton Diversions Editor Matt Wright Copy Editor Lindsay Kite Photo Editor Michael Sharp Assistant Photo Editor Jessica Alexander Editorial Board Brooke Nelson Aaron Falk Bryan Hinton Marie MacKay Michael Sharp Steve Shinney Letters to the Editor w^orum decreased enrollment and increased tuition. So you are telling me that we need more computers for less stuEditor, dents that have to pay more The "musical rooms" game already? There's a plan. Second, getting rid of the being played in the TSC indicates a lack of proper vision. TV lounge. I love this room. Let's look at some of the On top of that, I'm sure that it cost a lot of money to ideas we've come up with. First, expanding the com- put all the nice furniture in puter lab. There are sev- there. Why spend all that eral labs within 2 minutes money putting together a of practically any spot on great lounge only to get rid campus, most of which have of it after only a year. Next plenty of open computers. to the AgSci computer lab, Also, there is the issue of the TV lounge is the best kept 'Musical rooms' game in TSC is getting old secret on campus. Third, moving the Statesmen office yet again. Not only that, but cramming it into a much smaller room. A room well decorated and with a big screen TV and couches and lounge chairs and tables and chairs, mind you. It costs money to dp that kind of stuff. ' Perhaps we should stop being so hasty on decisions like this. It is not in the best interest of the students. Brian Boston Maintaining the USU tradition How becoming a True Aggie has changed I come from a long line of Aggies. Aunts, be able to brae a little bit through the rest of uncles, parents, cousins - all nave graced college that I had become a True Aggie my the halls of Utah State proudly. very first semester. Thus when I was accepted to But when I got to school, I discovUSU, it was a joyous event; one Mikaylie Kartchnerered the True Aggie tradition had my family celebrated by immechanged a little bit since my pardiately rehearsing to me all the ents were here. It had pickea up Aggie traditions. My mother taught some bad innuendoes and mixed me the fight song and about Aggie emotions from' the student body, ice cream. My cousins showecf me and even developed a sadistic around campus. My grandparents cousin called True Blue Aggies. caught me up on the USU family For the most part, nobody I knew history. was a True Aggie. My roommates weren't. My friends weren't. A few days before I left for Logan, My cousins weren't. We had my mother started telling me broken the family chain, and I about True Aggies, a tradition we was bummed. But my cousins all know means a moonlight kiss atop ,a cement sculpture of the letter A. My explained it to me. mother had been a True Aggie, so had my True Aggiehood was now associated with father and my aunts and uncfes, and figured public make-out sessions, something memI would someday become one as well. Although my mom seriously hoped I'd wait a year or two, I was a little excited. I figured • TRUE AGGIE I'd get it over with as a freshman and then see page 10 About letters 1 • Letters should-be limited to 350 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. Letters will not be printed without this verification. • 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 editor® statesman.usu.edu or click on www.utahstatesman.com for more letter guidelines and a submission box. Online poll Are you coming back this fall? • Yes • No, I'm graduating • No, I'm transferring • No, leaving for some other reason • I'm not sure Visit us on the Web at www.utahstatesman.com to cast your vote. Check out these links on www.utahstatesman.com: Local TV listings Faculty evaluations Comics Activities and events Classifieds • Weather Archives |