Sold Out
I just want to say hats off to U.Magazine for saying what we've all been thinking for a long time now: MTV has gone to the dogs ["My So-Called MTV," April 1996].
Don't the people at MTV have a clue? I'm so disappointed in the execs at MTV for selling out and replacing the music with junk. If I wanted to watch shows, I'd turn to the networks. And sadly enough, even CBS is doing a better job than MTV from where my remote control and I sit.
Amy Runyan, senior
U. of Texas, Austin
Women Entitled
I was very offended by "Title What?" [April 1996]. It was so biased toward the protection of men's athletics that it misses the point of having Title IX. Women's athletics deserve the same funding that is often too generously bestowed upon the guys. This story is once again telling women athletes that they aren't as important as their
male counterparts. Let's face it, if administrators had been fair in funding in the beginning, this problem would never have existed. The female athletes don't deserve to be painted as the villains. They don't get enough support as it is.
Melissa Bowman, sophomore,
U. of Kansas
In response to "The Rating Game" [March 1996], I think that U.S. News and World Report rankings are fairly accurate. Universities that are usually in the lower rankings often do not have excellent facilities such as good health services and good libraries. While at the same time, they have few publications by their faculty. In addition, undergraduate students often don't graduate within the 4-6 year period allotted. It's easy to whine about the low rankings, especially if your school comes in at the bottom.
Kinda Rank
What these administrators should do is spend less time making up excuses and more time trying to improve the academic conditions at their
universities. I fully support the U.S. News and World Report rankings and think they should be used as incentive to improve the low-ranked institutions.
Stephen B. Isabirye, graduate student,
Northern Arizona U.
Big Headed
Thank you for your story on Calvin and Hobbes — the best comic strip of all times, ["Stripped," March 1996]. As a huge fan of Bill Watterson, I was sad to see him go. I recently bought the Calvin and Hobbs Tenth Anniversary Book [Andrews and McMeel]. After reading about Watterson's problems with his Sunday strip and his insistence that he receive more space and freedom, I must say that he seems to be quite egotistical about his strip. It's too bad that we've all lost such a great comic strip, but it's also too bad that the creator of the strip removed it for what seem to be selfish, commercial reasons.
Amy Hope Pickens, sophomore Illinois State U.
you could devote a whole column to the craziness that goes on here at U. of Northern Colorado. But it's great to read up on all of the other college maniacs around the nation. Keep up the good reporting!
Quick Fix
I just wanted to compliment you on what seems to be everyone's favorite section — Quickies. I personally think that
Ben Scherliss, junior U. of Northern Colorado
Kudos
ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN FARRINGTON, ARIZONA STATE U
I think that Glenn McDonald has the best column [Wrap] in the country. Could you give me some more information on him?
Anand Shah, sophomore,
Cornell U.
Glenn's last (sniff, sniff) Wrap column for U. Magazine appears on page 23 of this issue. He is currently living in San Francisco and is looking for work. Got any leads? — ed.
Outta Sight
Why is the photo contest in the very back of the magazine [March 1996]? Having the contest is a good idea, but the photos are too small. If you're going to host such a contest, you should at least reward the winners with a full page in the magazine.
Mark McKelvey, freshman Illinois State University
A full page? How about two full pages? And more! Check out pages 20-22 for this year's winners. The photos you’re referring to were the monthly winners. — ed.
Ole Miffed
I think the "Sub-Standard Subs at Ole Miss" story [March 1996] is unfair. As a senior at Ole Miss, I've been exposed to the program twice. Both times my professors announced in advance that they planned to have a guest speaker. Both times attendance was optional, and once, extra credit was offered for attendance. In addition, students who planned to attend were allowed to pick a topic that interested them. Your story was sloppy and onesided. Our administration should be cheered for the success to further educate a variety
Wendy Hollingsworth, senior,
U. of Mississippi
Middleman
As a faithful reader of $U_{i}$, I can't keep quiet about the glowing error you made in "The Buzz" [March 1996]. You said that Michael Kearney is attending Tennessee State U. The fact of the matter is that he's attending Middle Tennessee State U. We are a Division I school and proud member of the Ohio Valley Conference. We take great pride in our rivalry with Tennessee State.
Sean T. Jewett,
Middle Tennessee State U.
Egg on our Face
Thanks to all the concerned egg-pattrollers who wrote in about the 2,403-pound goose egg (Double Take, April 1996). Speckle The Goose's egg was actually 24 ounces — or 24 oz., which looks a lot like 2403 to an overworked assistant editor.
Do you support affirmative action?
Yes: 54%
No: 46%
I think it's helped many minorities and women get to positions they couldn't get to in the past. Rashawda Mixon, freshman, Grambling State U., La. • At one time, this country needed to be spurred into hiring minorities, but affirmative action has become self-defeating. To fill quotas, American companies are often handicapped by not being able to hire the best applicant. Chris Nichols, grad student, U. of Nevada, Las Vegas • I support affirmative action, but not in its entirety. I think it needs to be changed according to the times. Keldin Jones, sophomore, Auburn U., Ala. • Balance in everything is key, and the people who created affirmative action policies were out of balance in their quest for a good thing. Tim Smith, senior, Eastern Michigan U. • I think affirmative action is the most blatant form of racism since slavery. Jason Wright, senior, U. of Texas, San Antonio • It's a big crock. Everyone who goes to school has a chance to get an education. William Logue, sophomore, Salem State College, Mass. • The most qualified should get the job. Period. Brandon Muller, freshman, Ohio State U.
Would you ever get plastic surgery?
Yes: 44%
No: 56%
I think people who [get plastic surgery] aren't comfortable with themselves. Trying to change outward appearance does nothing for the inner person who has to deal with the outside. Michael Grantham, senior, Middle Tennessee State U. • It would depend on the circumstances. If I got in an accident and got many scars, of course. Otherwise, it would depend on how much money it would cost. Stephen Eanks, senior, Bowling Green State U., Ohio • I like myself just the way I am. If God had intended me to look different, I would. It is sad that society is sending youth the message that in order to be accepted, everyone has to be perfect. Pamela Baldassari, State U. of New York, Albany • I've had my nose straightened once and hope to have it operated on again to make it smaller. If it makes you feel better, and you have the money, do it. Brandon Smith, freshman, Virginia Tech • I would not get plastic surgery. I believe in accepting yourself as you are. Chad Halsey, senior, Michigan State U. • I would never get plastic surgery because it's stupid. God put me here the way I am, and that's the way I should stay — unless I was in a bad car accident and didn't have a choice. De'Letra Brooks, sophomore, Grambling State U.
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VROOM.
VROOM.
SCREEEECH.
I used to think I had quick reflexes, but that was before two months of guerrilla car shopping numbed my senses. I should have seen him sliding toward me. I should have seen the telltale gold tooth catching in the afternoon light; the fiercely tailored suit, maue shirt and matching tasseled loafers; the oily hair, just barely outshining the tooth.
All the indicators were there. I should have seen him coming, and I should have run like hell.
But I was trapped. I was in a weakened state. I accidentally made eye contact. He was in my blind spot.
So there I was. Stuck in the front seat of a tormented Volkswagen, listening to Ed The Used Car Salesman tell me that the tears in the seats, the bald tires and the hole in the top gave the car character.
And Ed-from-the-8-bazillionth-dealership-I-had-been-to was about to make it worse. He was on the verge of sending me over car-shopper's edge.
You know — *the* edge. The place I inched toward as I surrendered my demands and dignity. No five speeds? Um, I guess an automatic will do (inch). You're right. A cassette player is extravagant. Besides, I like AM jam (inch, inch). This car is 12 years old and it's only got 700 miles on it. Wow (inch).
"Now this is the car for you," he oozed. "A pretty young girl like you needs to have a convertible. And listen to this... (engine grinds, wheezes, starts with a hideous roar). Listen to that sporty-sounding muffler."
A sporty-sounding muffler?
I'd have settled for something with wheels and a driver's seat.
Colleen Rush, Assistant Editor
8
U. Magazine May 1996