Jordan River Forum

Worry about other fees, not treadmill costs I wouldn't write an article making assumptions about where or how much money the RecSports program uses without looking first at their financial statements to find out actually where that money is going (July 11 dissent, "Fees are unfair"). Think about all the maintenance fees that go into running an operation like that: keeping the pool full of water and chemically treated, salary and benefits of full time employees, insurance, maintenance of equipment, etc. As you state, it is true that not all the customers utilize the service, but regardless of whether they do or not, the cost of providing the services will still be there. The comment, "I imagine a computer is more costly to fix than a treadmill," could easily be disputed. That would depend on the problem with the device. Newer model treadmills often have proprietary electronics in them, thus would be more expensive to service. Though I agree it might be a hassle and inconvenient, I can see the reasoning behind what has been done. If I had to choose something to be up in arms about it would probably be the 107 percent increase in business school tuition -- not a treadmill. Blake Pell
Alumnus Read up on root causes of terrorism Cherry Blattert's article (June 24, "Acknowledging evil") shows that she obviously lacks any in-depth knowledge, let alone understanding, of the issues you address. Here are few points from a non-Muslim who has worked with the U.S. media and is happily married to a Scandinavian since 1970. Read up on root causes of terrorism, especially as related to oppressed people and the powers that support the oppression, whether to forward political or economical or, at times, personal gains. This is not in any way to suggest that the Sept. 11 events could or would be justified by any means. Note that "understanding" the causes of given events does not equate to "justifying" them. Unfortunately, the two seem to have been fused into one construct by the Bush administration and the mainstream U.S. media. Why do you think the U.S. is accepting to have all these "millions of illegal immigrants?" Who do you think is picking your tomatoes, Cherry? Besides, when did your own parents or ancestors reach these shores that welcome the wretched refuse of many teeming shores? Acquaint yourself also with Islam and its values, bearing in mind that it is usually not religion that supports acts of oppression and violence, but individuals with their interpretation of religion -- particularly as it suits their goals of control and other self-interests. Just think of (or learn about) the Crusades, the Spanish inquisition and the witch hunts in the puritan New World. Do you judge the whole group by the exceptions or by its basic principles? One last question, Cherry. Bearing in mind the 622 years in "age" difference between Christians and Muslims, which "group" do you think has "excelled" more in killing, murdering and terrorizing -- i.e. which group is more "evil"? Blossom out, Cherry! Ghassan E. Ghosn
Byblos, Lebanon Where's the administration's sacrifice? The IDS recently reported that the number of employees at IU making over $100,000 has increased from 119 in 1995 to 437 this upcoming school year. (It) also informed us that the growing national trend for universities is an increase in the number of administrators and a widening gap between administrative and faculty pay. I understand that a school such as IU has to be competitive in its pay if it is to remain a world-class university, but perhaps something is amiss when our highest-paid employees are enjoying increased salaries while students bear the financial burden of an uncertain economy in the form of increased tuition. I've heard administrators preach often about how IU is a community. Well, communities face hard times together, so where's the administration's sacrifice? Matt Walter
Senior