Letters to the Editor (12/4)

Success comes from work ethic

In response to Lacey Mason's Nov. 19 article, "Disadvantaged Students Deserve More Opportunities".

I respectfully disagree with Mason's take on the distribution of opportunities to students. She wrote, "Students who have higher grades or more experience than [her] are being awarded… opportunities." Of course they are. Grade point average is not determined by income. Experience is not simply granted to those with scholarships. I feel that the students who are excelling in school and in the job market have really worked for it.

Also, I do not agree with her idea to let "the students with weaker resumes take advantage." There are so many scholarships out there that apply to almost all students and there are also many that are vary specific in who they hope to financially assist. For example, one of the scholarships I applied for and was fortunate enough to receive simply required a 2.0 GPA. That is a "C" average. There are also numerous scholarships for low-income students, children of single parents, and ethnically based scholarships.

And as for this "Jane Richy McScholarship" character Mason created, I feel that this is a persona whom Mason hates, yet aspires to be. McScholarship has done nothing wrong, yet Mason repeatedly ridicules her for her achievements. I believe that a good portion of the 44 percent of students who Mason reported to graduate from college debt free really worked through high school and college in order to ensure their financial stability throughout their education. Personally, I knew that college expenses would be very difficult for my family to pay for, so I worked to qualify for and am still working maintain the scholarships I earned.

In the end, I believe that success in school and life comes down to a good work ethic. A high GPA cannot be bought, internships and jobs cannot be held, and debts cannot be paid with a defeatist attitude. No matter one's socioeconomic status, one can achieve at least these goals and responsibilities.

Anna Reed

FreshmAn News Editorial major

Women tend to dominate colleges nationwide

Today's cover story "On the Right Track" does a good job of pointing out that women only make up 47 percent of the total enrollment at UNL and highlights the challenges women face in some male dominated fields. However, I think that it is worth mentioning that, according to the National Center for Education Statistic's Digest of Education Statistics, in 2006 females made up more than 57 percent of the total enrollment at degree granting institutions nationwide.

The trend is true for graduate schools as well, where females make up more than 60 percent of the total enrollment. This is not only a recent trend: Nationally, females have been receiving bachelor's degrees at a higher rate than males since the 1984-1985 school year. The author contends that the gender gap of 6 percent (males over females) at UNL may be large enough to warrant some kind of intervention. If so, I believe that the 14 percent- gap (females over males) nationwide should be equally concerning.

I liked that the author provided some perspectives from females in male-dominated fields like engineering, but I also would have liked to hear the perspectives of male students in female-dominated fields like education. I think that gender equity in education is an important issue to explore, and as such it deserves a balanced inquiry that addresses inequities for both genders.

Brett Foley

Educational Psychology Graduate Student

Concealed carry a civic duty

As a very busy senior, I've had little time to read the Daily Nebraskan lately, but I picked up today's copy and read Joshua Loomis' column on gun control and safety concerns.

I have to say that he exactly, and very respectfully and coherently, expresses my own opinion on safety. We need "the good guys" to have guns because laws are clearly not stopping the "insane" or malicious criminals from harming people and carrying weapons.

The points that Loomis brings up are valid and vital. I strongly believe that this issue needs to be brought out and discussed. We can even look right here in Nebraska at the decision faced and resolved at the mall in Omaha after the shooting there.

I hope to complete a concealed carry course myself so that I can be safe and provide safety for others around me.

Amy Waddle

Senior Music major