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February 13, 2007
Letter to the Editor: HUSC rep speaks up for first-years
On Feb. 6, 2007, the Oracle published an article entitled “That’s why we can’t have nice things,” written by Matt Hill. As a first-year representative of HUSC, I feel it is my duty to write to you concerning my disagreement with this misguided piece.
There are several aspects of the article that strike a chord with me-the first of which is the very premise on which the column is based upon. The original resolution that HUSC approved called for each residential building to receive a new television, the publication leads readers to believe that only the Heights buildings were gifted with this necessary upgrade in technology. While this is not offensive, I feel it is an important piece of information to make note of.
My second, more major concern is with regard to the attitude in which the author addresses the first year class of the Hamline community, a community he is indeed part of. The gross generalization made in the article of all first-year students being “snotty,” is simply insulting and unprofessional. As a member of the Oracle and a first-year student, Hill has only belittled himself and his work.
Hill further details the follies of his class by creating a fictional perpetrator of the crime, a crime which very well could have been a completely unintentional occurrence. His description of the perpetrator is an extensive printed display of immaturity that only serves as evidence of a tormented past and an emotionally unstable state of mind, which has no relevance to the situation at hand.
As a final objection, I offer that it is indeed not a waste of money to purchase modern, nice things for our campus, as Hill claims. Such a notion is beyond logic. In order to maintain a university, it is required that we make strides to enhance the Hamline experience and provide a modern living and learning environment.
As a HUSC representative and more importantly, as a member of the Hamline community, it is my observation that leads me to believe that the negative claims made in Hill’s article are completely untrue and insulting. Further emotionally misguided attempts at commentary, such as this, should not be included in your respected newspaper. The Oracle is a binding element in our community, and articles such as this only serve to isolate and degrade portions of that community.
Mike Schuster ’10
Posted by dwright at February 13, 2007 11:49 AM
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