September 25, 2007
School affiliates with Workers Rights Consortium
At the end of last semester, the University of Montana approved an affiliation with the Workers Rights Consortium. The affiliation was openly debated last semester right here on the letters to the editor page. I know people are probably tired of hearing about it, but it would be ignorant to overlook the final outcome.
Students for Economic and Social Justice worked tirelessly to encourage the school to take a step in the direction of human rights. They held weekly meetings, spoke repeatedly with administration officials and organized events and protests throughout the year.
September 20, 2007
Scholarships based solely on merit, not race
While I welcome interest in The University of Montana’s scholarship program, I do wish that Ms. Schmautz had taken the time to familiarize herself with that program before writing her editorial in the Sept. 19 edition of the Montana Kaimin.
Ironically, the process that she advocates in awarding scholarships is the process that is followed.
Rest assured that the Presidential Scholarships are awarded strictly on merit – no other consideration is made.
September 20, 2007
Editorial disturbing and not based on facts
I am shocked and disturbed by the editorial written by Emma Schmautz on Sept. 19, 2007, entitled “Awarding scholarships by race, gender unfair.” The piece ignored structural and attitudinal barriers women, non-Caucasians, and sexual minorities face. Schmautz merely expresses an idealized fantasy about the experience of people she does not understand. While she has a right to her opinion, her characterization of the problem and the experiences of others are entirely inappropriate.
September 20, 2007
Change should start with letter writer
The letter to the editor Tuesday the 18th brought up some valid points but forgot a few crucial ones. Yes, the grounds keepers use riding mowers that probably use more gasoline, how ever, are you the one mowing the grounds every other day? And if they were bought push mowers, does that not cost more money to then dispose of the current machinery and accommodate brand new equipment? Also typewriters are a great idea! They were used for many years before the laptops we have today. Do you currently use one to do your homework? Don’t tell us how we should be running our lives on campus if you your self does not want to follow the ideas that you are suggesting. Lead by example. When you get your own typewriter and start mowing the grounds with a push mower then you can speak out and tell others to follow you, instead of suggesting Utopian thoughts.
September 20, 2007
Don't sell to us during class; it's for learning
Solicitors should not be allowed in UM classrooms. On Tuesday History of Rock and Roll 133L was interrupted by a woman who worked herself into a frenzy describing a volunteer program in Australia. She stood in front of about three hundred people, threw her hands in the air and began selling her program like an auctioneer. Sure it was brief and even mildly entertaining but students are bombarded with people telling them what to buy and what to do everyday. The classroom must act as a sanctuary.
September 18, 2007
Sept. 11 Forgotten
On the cover of the Kaimin the caption read, 9-11 remembered, and inside was an article on the talk given by Barnett Rubin, called, “What is at stake in Afghanistan.” Our freedom is what is at stake, but it is the opposite of what is being portrayed in the media and by our leaders. (stay asleep)
“A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny. The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie. One word of truth outweighs the world.” Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
So first let us look at some of what has been forgotten and is part of the public record. (stay asleep)
September 18, 2007
ASUM wasting money in hiring climate position
So the ASUM has decided to spend $4,300 this semester by hiring someone to act as the “climate commitment student coordinator.” That person’s job is to go around and take measurements of greenhouse gasses around campus, and file a report about it. Am I the only person who thinks this is a gigantic waste of money? Last time I checked the University isn’t operating a coal plant. I can just see how this idea came about. Someone in the ASUM was just sitting around saying, “Hmm, what can I waste money on today?” Seriously what could this person possibly do that is worth $4,000? I’ll tell you what ASUM, I’ll do it for ten bucks right now.
September 13, 2007
Not everyone's Honors College experiences are the same
This letter is in response to the Kaimin Editorial appearing on September 11, 2007. In the editorial, Emma Schmautz writes that she feels no regret after dropping out of the Davidson Honors College (DHC) program. She also argues that many Honors students, especially those entering their senior year, may not see a point in completing the program because of a lack of real “distinction” awarded to them upon graduation, and the stress of the “seniors honors project” required to graduate.
She lists some of the benefits often promoted by the DHC - small class sizes, inspiring professors, engaging discussion, and research/study abroad opportunities, and asserts that an effort should be made to hold all departments and schools to this standard. I applaud her for this sentiment and encourage her to start that process in her own department.
September 12, 2007
Environmental studies laboratory faces cutbacks
Clancy Gordon was a founder of the Environmental Studies Graduate Program way back in the 1970’s. These are different times. Today’s EVST department might be almost unrecognizable to many from that era. Over the years the department has dealt with many threats to its existence both locally here at the U and from the steps of the capitol in Helena. But the activists, conservationists, and concerned citizens that fill the ranks of the department have and probably always will be a stubborn lot.
If you know anything about us environmentalists, you know that we are optimists. If we weren’t we would have quit long ago. We believe that change is indeed possible and necessary for our future.
September 11, 2007
Waiting in line never guarantees tickets
Although I agree the ticketing system for the Elton John concert was somewhat disorganized, I would like to mention that being angry for “waiting in lines and coming out with nothing” is just as ridiculous. Wristband holders were informed that they were not guaranteed a ticket and they chose to wait in long lines and take a chance with the wristband-lotto system. What kind of luck were you hoping for when a big act like Sir Elton is coming to little ol’ Missoula? Especially since the show would be held in the Adams Center where there is a very limited amount of seating.
September 11, 2007
Ticket-selling process for Elton John defies logic
The recent debacle with the Elton John concert only serves to once again illustrate the absolute and total disconnect between the administration of the University of Montana and the citizens of Missoula.
The idea to change from a simple, well-established ticket-selling process to a complicated and ill-conceived process defies logic. A first-come, first-serve process ensures there is a chance that tickets will be purchased by local supporters of the University rather than out-of-state ticket scalpers. To require people to take two days off work and/or school to stand for hours in line for tickets that weren’t available was a slap in the face. Only UM administration would believe this is a fair and equitable process. There is an old axiom in business, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
September 7, 2007
10th Annual Hempfest prompts look at weed
Tomorrow is Missoula’s 10th Hempfest – the largest pro-cannabis event in the northern Rockies. It starts at noon at Caras Park, with an array of vendors and live musicians who rock the day – and night – away, up until 10 p.m. It’s a great event, and we hope to see you there.
The 2007 Hempfest makes this a fitting day to assess the effects of Missoula County’s “lowest priority” marijuana initiative, adopted by voters last November. The Kaimin carried an article about this last week – but completely botched it, sorry to say.
September 7, 2007
Duringer's Apology
I need to apologize to the Kaimin staff, specifically to Jessica Mayrer, for showing her the door during our brief interview on Wednesday. I suspect it was because I was very frustrated that the Elton John ticket sales didn’t go as well as we had hoped. Either way, I should have been more tolerant. For the record, I do want everyone to know that the Adams Center staff worked very hard on the Elton John “on sale” event. In the end, despite our best efforts, the speed of Internet sales versus face-to-face customer service proved to be our undoing. I believe we’ve learned a lesson we won’t soon forget.
September 6, 2007
Numbers don't add up for Elton John ticket sales
The brain trust at the University of Montana ticket office has struck again. In a daring homage to The Three Stooges, the powers that be conjured up an almost completely dysfunctional wristband-based ticket sales scheme for the Elton John concert that resulted in the following spectacular sales figures.
Five tickets were sold at Southgate Mall, zero tickets were sold at Worden’s and zero tickets were sold at the University Center. There were five windows trying to sell tickets at the Adams Center, where I was number 60 in line. I determined that one window managed to sell 15 tickets before a sellout was announced.
September 6, 2007
UM didn't think ahead when planning sales
September 5, 2007 shall go down in history as the day of the Elton John ticket debacle at the U of M.
Many fans from Missoula and the surrounding areas, including myself, are rightfully angry. We were denied tickets because the University couldn’t get their shit together. When I say ‘many,’ I mean every person who stood in line for hours at the Adams Center on September 4th to get wristbands. The wristband plan probably looked good on paper to those who could understand it. The University was well intentioned, I suppose; they were simply trying to organize what was sure to be a chaotic event. However, the ticket sales devolved into confusion anyway.
September 5, 2007
Go the speed limit, Missoula drivers
This letter is addressed to those impatient drivers that follow my vehicle down Higgins Avenue – those that trail within three feet of my bumper thinking that perhaps I’ll go a little faster (or that they may get to their destination a few seconds sooner). I’m truly sorry for your annoyance as I go the speed limit.
I live at the bottom of Pattee Canyon Drive, and this general area has become a popular corridor for deer to cross Higgins (24 hours a day, year-round). From my home I often hear tires screeching and/or a “thump” in the middle of the night; it’s a distressing sound and one that could be avoided. PLEASE slow down when traveling south on Higgins and around the curve onto 39th, which seems to be a popular place to rev it up and speed excessively.
