Jordan River Forum

There's more than food in Indiana

\nIn reading a recent Indiana Daily Student column ("Snacks steal spotlight," Megan Robb, Aug. 30), we were disheartened by the emphasis the writer, not the event, put on one particular aspect of one of the biggest events on campus.\nEach year, CultureFest is attended by thousands of IU students. The writer thought it was for the food. We'd like to offer another possibility.\nPerhaps some of the 3,150 who attended the inside portion of CultureFest might have mentioned the "History and Culture of IU" video showing campus traditions and "firsts" such as Marcellus Neal, Sarah Parke Morrison, Frances Marshall and culture centers. Highlighted were the culture created by Herman B Wells, IU Athletics throughout the years, the unrest of the 1970s and more. The audience heard messages from speaker Kevin Wanzer about Mahalo, about living with authenticity, about "it shouldn't hurt to be different" and about choosing to love. Maybe they'd mention the Korean Samulnori or the ceremonial opening based on Aztec tribal dances.\nOutside, even more students might mention the fact that some of the food they were enjoying they had tried for the first time and might not have done so otherwise. Few cultures celebrate without food as a significant part of the festivities. CultureFest is a celebration of the many cultures of IU. While eating, attendees could take in activities at each cultural location. The trivia games, quizzes, information, crafts, henna, a variety of cultural music, dancing and awareness ribbons: yes, all part of CultureFest.\nPerhaps the biggest message of CultureFest is that all cultures are a valuable part of our community. While enjoying your red beans and rice, you'd see clearly that IU values a multicultural atmosphere and all students are welcome here and encouraged to take an active role in their IU experience -- an important statement.\nPlease feel free to come to CultureFest for the food; we're fine with that. You'll leave with much more. Yes, maybe a point was missed. We're just not convinced it was with the event.

Melanie J. Payne, Orientation Programs\nFrank Motley, Academic Support and Diversity\nLillian Casillas, Latino Cultural Center\nOyibo Afoaku, Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center\nDoug Bauder, GLBT Student Support Services\nMelanie Castillo-Cullather, Asian Culture Center\nSandy Britton, Leo R. Dowling International Center\nAaron Gottlieb, Hillel; Campus Religious Leaders Association\nSarah Nagy, Residential Programs and Services\nCorbin Smyth, Indiana Memorial Union\nJoe Lovejoy, Junior\nBrittany Bell, Senior\nDorian Clark, Senior

Historical inaccuracies

\nWhile articles spotlighting the history of the IU campus are a welcome feature in the IDS ("The Buildings where we Study," Sept. 8), some inaccuracies in these articles are disturbing and should be corrected. Last week, a photo caption identified Ballantine Hall as "close to being one of the oldest buildings on campus." The oldest buildings on campus are more than 120 years old; Ballantine is not yet 50. Also, in Tuesday's article about the sundial near Maxwell Hall, the assertion that the original IU campus was "where Bloomington High School South is now" is simply incorrect. The original campus was in Seminary Square, near the corner of Second Sreet and College Avenue. A school was later built on that site, but that school no longer stands.\nJulian Hook\nAssistant professor of music theory

Library needs more bike racks

\nAs a habitual bike rider and frequent patron of the Herman B Wells Library, I see that the bike racks at the library can be so crammed that oftentimes individuals cannot find an available spot for their bikes. Students and faculty often end up locking their bikes to the fence that lines the sidewalk. I've had the "pleasure" of coming out of the library to find an orange sticker on my bike warning me not to lock my bike to the fence. I usually say to myself: "Well, then provide more racks for bikes."\nThis summer, the bike rack next to the School of Library and Information Science was removed. Being an adjunct faculty member there, I've heard numerous students complain about this. I decided to call parking enforcement and ask why they tag bikes when there's no space available on the bike racks. The first gentleman I talked to said that I was lucky because soon parking enforcement would stop using the warning stickers and simply cut locks and impound bikes. He suggested I talk to J. Douglas Porter, the director of parking enforcement.\nI explained to Mr. Porter that bicyclists help to alleviate parking problems on campus and reduce congestion and pollution. He said that I was not in tune with the "American way," a way, he implied, that is dominated by the drive-to-work mentality, not public and/or alternative transportation. And additional bike racks would also result in reduced green space.\nI suppose I should embrace this notion of trolling the bike racks looking for an empty spot as a matter of course, just like the drivers who endlessly circle the library lot looking for parking spots. Biking to class or the library shouldn't be any more convenient than driving, right? That's the "American way."\nPhil Eskew\nFaculty member

Be grateful for class on Labor Day

\nIn regards to the letters from students frustrated with attending class on Labor Day: Instead of worrying about missing out on a holiday designed for people who work (not attend class), devote some energy to being thankful for all you have. You're going to college when a lot of people your age don't get that chance. You live in a town, state and nation that grant you exceptional freedom and rights, and you're sitting high and dry while thousands of people in the South are dead, dying, homeless or miserable. \nAs a former student and current staff member, I know how easy it is to forget that the world doesn't revolve around IU and what goes on here. We should all try to be happy with our own lives, not jealous of something as fleeting as a day off.\nChase R. Potter\nStaff member

New tailgating policy is fair

\nThank you for your column about the new IU tailgating policy ("No more rockin' at 'The Rock,'" Andrew Shaffer, Sept. 9) and its inherent "unfairness." However, your reasoning appears backwards and difficult to comprehend. You certainly understand that revenue is generated through football attendance. On the other hand, IU is not making money by allowing students or the public to freely tailgate on its property. In fact, IU is incurring heavy expenses associated with policing, clean-up and exposure to liability associated with the tailgating "scene." \nIU is being lenient by allowing tailgating on its property at all. All that IU is asking in return is that you buy a ticket to the game and actually use it. If you don't care about IU or the football team, take your party elsewhere. I could not agree more that the performance of the IU football team has been disappointing and unacceptable. The grassroots of winning is recruiting. When recruits visit IU, they see a half-empty stadium with 20,000 people standing in a field across the street, most of whom are oblivious to the score of the game. Is that the impression IU should make in order to build the program?\nI absolutely understand the fun of tailgating. I understand the appeal of partying in Bloomington on a fall Saturday. I do both of those things myself for every game. I am also frustrated that IU has not won more games inside Memorial Stadium. However, I also understand that IU is being completely fair in its new policy and that those questioning it should forego their whining. Would you allow thousands of strangers to party for free on your property six weekends a year, only to leave you with an expensive and risky mess to police and clean up? I wouldn't, and neither would you. The solution is simple: buy a ticket, tailgate like mad and then attend the football game the way it is done by millions of fans at hundreds of other colleges across the country. \nJeffrey D. Roberts\nAlumnus

Student Building smells

\nI don't think that I am the only person who gets grossed out when I walk into the Student Building's western entrance. For some reason, the area that is enclosed by two sets of doors reeks of body odor. I work for UITS and during the summer I had a shift in the building. Could the smell be an old Hoosier Hoagie from Dagwood's that someone left in a ceiling tile years ago? Or maybe something crawled in there and died. Maybe it has something to do with the perpetually locked "meat freezer" that is in-between the first and second floors. I have no idea, but somebody from the University should definitely check this out. \nBennett Leader\nJunior

Government relief efforts admirable

\nI am a staunch Republican, and I am personally sick to my stomach over the childish, gossip-focused political rhetoric that is being printed in the papers lately about President Bush's efforts to relieve Katrina survivors. The focus has shifted from this indescribable horror to how long it took the President to fly over the scene or how long he commanded relief efforts from his ranch. That is ridiculous. People think as if the report of "hundreds feared dead as Louisiana is ravished by Katrina" came in and Bush said, "Hold on, I have never gotten to this level of Halo before." The fact of the mater is that President Bush has allocated billions of dollars and thousands of men and women to the disaster. He has also worked with the international community to bring in any assistance available to the survivors. \nThere are also additional reports on how long it took Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown to decide that normal hurricane relief would not be sufficient. Five hours into the storm he called for an unprecedented relief effort. Five hours after Katrina hit, this man upgraded relief efforts, not the next day or after it was over, but five hours into the storm. Let me be the first to write, good call Mr. Brown, you saved lives. Read closely what is being printed and ask yourselves the right questions. What was policy and how was it changed to fit the situation? Does Washington want Americans to suffer, or are they working hard to find solutions to this disaster? \nUse your head instead of the (believing) reports that President Bush is maliciously trying to sabotage the relief efforts. Americans are working hard to help other Americans, now is not the time to squabble over how much you hate the president. Now is the time to get in the game and help. So if you still think that President Bush is not doing the job, you should put down your pen, put on you shoes, and go to Louisiana yourself.\nDavid White\nSenior

Bad movie blame game

\nIn response to Michael Tompkins' column ("Sorry for being uncool," Sept. 14), I gladly accept your apology, but I'd like to assure you that your apologies are not needed. It's not your fault that there were probably only two summer films that could be considered blockbusters ("Batman Begins" and "Star Wars Episode III"). Rest assured, Michael, there is an explanation. \nFor years, film companies have pushed the bulk of their mediocre films for summer release because less people attend the cinemas during the summer; most people are vacationing at that time. Also you'll be happy to know that most of the "lost" revenue is more than recovered during the winter season. The largest movie-going period is between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, which could mean big bucks to whoever puts out the best films.\nI also understand that it is rather sad and, in my opinion, quasi-funny that "Old School"-type films have been churned out at least twice a year. But again, it's not your fault that Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson and Johnny Knoxville have all become such popular icons. Again, no apology needed, stars do fade.\nAgain, you do not have to apologize for the white males responsible for the mass quantities of "commercial" rap that has a strong niche in our pop culture. However, I would like to believe that listeners of both sexes, all races and all income levels have contributed to this product. As for myself, being a white male of age 22, I listen to classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Van Halen and AC/DC. Guys like you and I don't need to apologize for the sustained success of rap artists. The only thing that could mandate an apology could be your writing of a poorly-developed opinion piece that had heavy assertions based on very little substance. But that is only my opinion.\nBrandon Moss\nSenior