BOO to water pipes. One burst at the Goldwater Center Monday, flooding the building and forcing students and faculty to relocate. While it’s quite ironic that the Goldwater building has been evacuated until at least Monday, it must suck for students. At least the building fits in with the other construction zones around campus.
BRAVO to the Phoenix Anti-War Coalition. The Tempe-based coalition (yeah, we thought that was weird too) was set up to patrol campus on bicycles and foot looking for potential war-related criminal activity. We think it’s great that this group of six ordinary people is trying to deter hate crimes. Hopefully there aren’t any more imbeciles out there who want to be “patriotic.”
BOO to anthrax. The disease has suddenly seeped into the media, creating hysteria throughout the country. There have been reports that an NAU lab may have connections with three people in Florida who were exposed to anthrax. But don’t worry. David Van Fleet, an ASU expert in terrorism, says anthrax is unlikely to be spread in Arizona because of the state’s warm weather. Isn’t it reassuring to know that the heat is good for something?
BRAVO/BOO to cooler weather. We’re relieved that the temperature has finally dropped below 100 (sweater and scarf weather for some of us). We just hope it will stay warm enough to keep that darn anthrax away.
BRAVO to the ASU Counseling and Consultation office. The department has reported that more students are looking for counseling since the Sept. 11 incident. We’re glad that such services are available for students in such a dire time.
BOO to the man who breached security at Sky Harbor. The man refused to be checked by a metal detector wand Monday and then ran away, never to be found. What kind of moron just runs? Needless to say, the airport concourse was evacuated. Now that National Security Guards have been introduced, maybe idiots will think twice before pulling such a trick in the future. Sheesh.
BRAVO to the Jarnagin Family Scholarship. The $100,000 donation from Kay Jarnagin Thompson will help an ASU West parent and child get an education. Says Michael Burrola, the first scholarship recipient, “I got it for being a student and the reward is much sweeter this time around.” We agree.
BOO to budget cuts. The Associated Students of ASU has to trim its budget 6, 8 or 10 percent. Under the 10 percent plan, the organization would have to cut nearly $80,000. Two immediate thoughts came to our minds when we saw that amount. One, “That’s a lot of money!” And two, “Who’s bright idea was it to let ASASU handle a budget of that size?!” Either way, it’s disappointing that ASASU has proposed to ax funding to certain programs, mainly the Safety Escort Service.
BOO to more freshmen at ASU. On one hand, we think it’s super that so many more students are getting an “education.” On the other hand, it creates larger classes overall, less parking spaces and longer lines at the bookstore, the Memorial Union, etc. The freshmen enrollment this fall has already surpassed a goal that was set for fall 2003. At this rate, ASU is expanding faster than the rabbits in our darkroom.
BRAVO to free condoms. The Phoenix Body Positive group handed out bags of them on Hayden Lawn, Thursday, complete with flavored cool mint lubricating gel and “Preventor” rubbers, straight from Brussels, Belguim. Whether you encourage abstinence or not, you have to be a fan of free stuff. And in the spirit of acknowledging and respecting other cultures in this trying time, we suggest you all dedicate part of your weekend to testing out these foreign treats.
