Letters to the editor, Sept. 3

Attendance policies help students act like adults

I am writing in response to the editorial titled "Give students final call on filling the chairs."

I am certain that my opinion does not speak for all professors or TA's across the university, but I can tell you that in my (admittedly limited) experience that some attendance policies are necessary.  

First of all, you are correct to say that students are adults.

The unfortunate reality is that many do not behave as adults.

Many students will decide that other things are more important than attending class, then at the end of the semester will whine to the professor that their grade is not high enough. 

If they were truly adult enough to take that responsibility for missing class, then the professor should never hear from that student about their grade.

The truth of the matter is that students are caught between being adults and not quite understanding what it means to take responsibility as an adult.

I believe that attendance policies help mediate this middle ground.

And if I'm being honest with myself, I actually run an attendance policy in recitation so when I hear the whining about a grade from lack of attendance, then I can refer my students to my policy.

If you want to be an adult, take responsibility like an adult. When all students do that, maybe we can forget the attendance policies.

Chris Frey

graduate student and recitation TA for the Department of Chemistry

With more knowledge, Americans are shedding their stereotypes on Islam

I applaud Ms. Garvin for urging personal reflection on one's religious beliefs.

It is a worthwhile endeavor for all, including those who do not follow specific religious authorities, to evaluate the moral values that govern their interactions with others.

However, I believe that she missed the mark in her scrutiny of Americans who may be prejudiced towards those of the Muslim faith.

This is a vast generalization that seldom applies.

Americans who assume that Islam is a religion of terrorists are truly a minority, and I personally hear this type of rhetoric on rare occasions.

I have no doubt that the Surah 60: 8-9 advocates peace and non-violence towards enemies, but what frightens most Americans is how this scripture and others like it in the Quran manage to inspire select extremists to such violence.

We as a nation should most definitely be cautious about making any connections between Islam and religious extremists, but Americans should not be "ashamed" for simply investigating any religion (including Christianity) that potentially inspires terrorists.

Joe Sigety

 2013 J.D. candidate at the University of Nebraska College of Law

Errors weigh down anti-Big Ten column

I would expect quite a few responses to Rhiannon Root's opinion piece in opposition to the Big Ten move even if it were logically sound, but this piece was an absolute punch in the face to intelligence.

Problem #1 is the cost argument. It seems that Root thinks the only difference between the Big 12 and Big Ten is the cost, which is completely false.

Yes, it is likely that tuition will increase as a result of joining the Big Ten.

But as a member of the Big 12, our tuition has been increasing at an alarming rate for quite some time already.

And these cost increases have come with no benefits.

Just the name ‘Big Ten' is worth the increase for our school.

The Big Ten is far more academically prestigious than the Big 12 which will boost our school's reputation dramatically.

Just like Root, I'm already a junior, and feel very lucky that in 15 or 20 years, I can say I went to Nebraska, a Big Ten school all without having to pay anything extra in my first two years of school.

Aside from that point, it seems that Root is implying that expensive tuition is a requirement of the Big Ten based on her examples of tuition at certain schools.

For the record, we already qualified for the Big Ten in all aspects which would explain our immediate acceptance upon request.

Problem #2 is the athletic and geographic argument.

The irony in her words was absolutely mind boggling.

She argues that because Big Ten schools are in a colder part of the country, our spring sports will be in trouble.

Well for one, moving to the Big Ten will not move the geographic location of the University of Nebraska.

For two, the move will not magically make Nebraska's weather colder.

The majority of athletic work is done in practice.

And Nebraska isn't going to start practicing in Canada now that we're in the Big Ten.

But the most ridiculously ironic part of Root's point is the fact that geographically, Nebraska is currently at a TERRIBLE disadvantage in the Big 12 when it comes to spring sports.

The only school in the Big 12 more north than Nebraska is Iowa State.

Root must have forgotten that the Big 12 includes schools like Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State.

Anyone who actually followed the story this summer knows that going from a weather disadvantage in the Big 12 to a more compatible weather situation in the Big Ten was a key factor in the decision.

And just a little fun fact, Michigan has made seven appearances in the College World Series and won it twice.

It's clear Root's research was (poorly) done after she had already made up her mind on the subject.

Had she done more research and maybe even followed the events that took place this summer, she might not feel so different than the majority of us here at Nebraska.

Jackson Little

Junior Finance Major