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Show ViewS&Opilli011 Monday, April 5, 2010 It's a beautiful day for a daydream I have had the opportunity to travel to many conferences at many universities, but USU has one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever seen. Meticulous work goes into taking care of the look of the campus, especially the grounds. The gorgeous trees, the beautiful design and waterfall around the patio, and as much as I hate the stairs, Old Main Hill is great for picnicking and snow sledding. Recently, however, I have been disturbed and annoyed as I walk to and from class. The grounds are still the same, and there isn't any less beauty in the architecture, but someone or group has been adding their own interpreted "artwork" to the sidewalk and pillars around the campus. With the stroke of a chalk stick, they have made their biblical presence known. Though I think it's great if you have a conviction when it comes to your personal salvation, that's just what it is, personal. I don't want my campus vandalized by anyone's personal beliefs, let alone those that may be offensive to my friends who don't consider themselves Christian. To be completely clear with you, I am a Christian. I was raised Southern Baptist, and I served an LDS mission. Both of these things gave me a great respect for Christianity. From that I have also gained an even greater respect for people's choices in life. Though there is a mainstream of Christianity at our university, we are not a Christian campus. If you want to go to school where you are inundated by Christian references everywhere, come find me and we can sit and discuss the many schools that offer you that experience. That is not who we are here at USU. We are a land-grant school that allows students from many different walks of life the opportunity to receive an excellent post-secondary education from an affordable higher education institution. I enjoy the fact that I can come and sit on the patio on a warm day and have a fun discussion with my friends who are agnostic, atheist, Muslim, Christians, and enjoy their company peacefully. Join Now Page 13 Instead of having that experience recently, we sit and talk about how inconsiderate the chalk markings are. I wonder how these people involved would feel if every morning they walked to class and saw messages that told them that there was no God or that Jesus was a fake. There are people who have those beliefs, but they don't feel it important to slather our campus with it. If you have something to say, the school offers many ways to get your message out. Thousands of students walk through the TSC ground floor every day. Set yourself a table down there (with permission from the scheduling office, of course) and go to town. Even better, set up a table outside by the patio, as we already know that will get you a lot of attention. There are even a few student clubs that offer religious conversations and activities. Either way, stop chalking up our campus with your beliefs. We are true Aggies whatever we believe in and that's what is important. You don't have to hide your beliefs under a bushel; Can Do It! A however, since your beliefs aren't any more important than mine or the next person's, keep it on your window sill and off my campus hill. Earnest Cooper Jr. is a junior in interdisciplinary studies from Dallas, Texas. Cooper is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and the Black Student Union. Cooper volunteers with GLBTA, is director of the Council of Student Clubs and Organizations and is a member of the Student Advisory Council to President Stan Albrecht. Comments may be left at www. aggietownsquare.com. 7,0•1111.1111 r. Utah Conservation Corps usu.eduiucc UtahStateUn lye rs ity 35% OFF a' r GALL FRy GAN, UTAH 435-753-4870 • waitress I babysitter Come interview time, some of your past jobs may not stand out. Maybe your NEXT JOB should. .I cashier stocking shelves How about ••••• with a three-times weekly newspaper. Responsbilities inclue managing a client list, face-to-face sales, prospecting and on-going customer service. The Utah Statesman is now hiring business staff for 20102011. Bring a resume, a desire for great pay potential, an eye to your future resume to TSC 105 for an appointment to be interviewed. Deadline April 16. Freshmen and sophomores urged to apply. 797-1757 for details. Why wait to get started on your resume? |