To illegals: Go get documented
I just read the news story about undocumented students and funds they may need to return.
What does it take to become documented? Why is it such an issue? It seems that if they can fill out a college application or a FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid,) the forms for citizenship should be no big issue. Somewhere, someone has to show why it is important for the citizenship paperwork to be filled out. If it's a time issue, is there a way to show you have filled it out while you wait for approval?
All paperwork must be done. Just like you have to have your measles immunization to be granted admission to ASU, this should be a no-brainer. Could we have "Documentation Drives" to encourage obeying immigration laws?
We as documented, naturalized, or native-born "Americans" have to follow the same rules. Citizenship must be proven for all sorts of programs, not to just attend university.
As for the funds these "illegals" have received, I thought receiving funds under false pretenses was considered fraud. Be careful not to raise too much of a fuss in returning it. Jail time looks bad on any application.
Kimberly Fuqua
Faculty/Staff
Thumbs up to Parking and Transit
I wanted to extend grateful thanks to ASU's Parking and Transit Services for giving me a break yesterday as I walked to my (illegally parked) car in the Gammage lot. After pulling an all-nighter, getting to class late, finding Structure 1 visitor parking full by 9:00 am, and then proceeding to go through a busy day of meetings and classes, my heart sank as I approached my car and saw the dreaded PTS receipt on my window shield. Imagine my surprise when instead of a $30 charge, I encountered a friendly note telling me that though my parking violation had been noticed, PTS had decided to look the other way! Thanks for such an innovative program and for brightening my day! Now if we can just talk about that time you towed me out of a structure last year...
Samantha Winter
Undergraduate
Attorney General's suggestions would hurt disabled students
I'm writing in response to the Sept. 11 State Press "Report: Campus Safety Insufficient" article. It disturbs me that the state Attorney General believes campus security would be enhanced by mandating that students disclose mental health diagnoses to university officials – which would be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
His argument presumes that a history of mental illness alone predisposes one to commit acts of violence, despite the fact that the vast majority of violent acts are committed by people with no such diagnosis. Adopting a policy mandating disclosure would most certainly stigmatize students with a mental health diagnosis, and would cause some who need treatment not to seek it. I urge The State Press to conduct a more in-depth study on the complexities of violence on campus to dispel the myth that students with mental illness are the main risk, as well as to run a series on mental health issues that would encourage those students who need treatment to seek it. The vast majority of people with psychiatric disorders are at far greater risk of harming themselves than someone else, and - if they are to succeed in school - need to be met with compassion and understanding, not suspicion and fear.
Peggy Plews
Senior, Justice Studies
