In the last month, The Miami Student has featured numerous Letters to the Editor, column pieces (mine included), editorials and a front page story, all covering
The staff of The Miami Student offered a majority opinion editorial in which they suggested wistfully that maybe these tough sexual assault issues should be punted to law enforcement. While I understand why this may seem the most logical solution to a complex problem, it reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of university processes and why they are needed.
Miami was one of nearly 200 colleges to join President Obama's "It's On Us" campaign, which raises awareness to stop sexual violence and interpersonal violence on college campuses. This initiative encourages students across the country to speak out and take action against these crimes. Miami developed a weeklong program in March to promote this cause. As students, I don't think we fully grasp how blessed we are to live in a country that values and upholds our rights and liberties. "It's On Us" is a chance for our country to have an open dialogue about the prevalent issue of sexual violence.
I read with great interest and gratitude The Miami Student's excellent article on sexual assault reports and sanctions at Miami University. I wanted to respond to a couple of the troubling comments made by the administrators in your piece.
I studied abroad in Luxembourg from January to May 2014, and it was by far the greatest experience of my life. I grew into a self-sufficient and independent woman, made lifelong friends, and saw so many amazing and beautiful things in over 10 different countries; however, the most important part of my study abroad experience was the opportunity to experience cultures different from my own.
Following the April Fools' piece on the Miami Wire about parking tickets, I am deeply troubled by President David Hodge's disrespectful and troubling actions. Thus, I write this letter to President Hodge,
There has been major effort towards building on campus and I understand why this is necessary and desirable. I do not understand why some university officials decided to destroy Bishop Woods. Bishop Woods has been around since the start of the university in 1809 and contributes to Miami's unique charm. There used to be signs throughout the wildlife area saying, "Please … Help us maintain this area in a natural state by staying on the paths. Thank you!" We cannot keep the woods in its natural state if a lot of it is destroyed and the university kills many of its trees. As I was sitting in class in Upham Hall, I heard the piercing sound of numerous trees going through the wood chipper. All I could think in my head was, "Why?"
Today I walked into Upham Hall. I took the entrance near Bishop Woods. I saw the throngs bustling along. I saw people focused on their cell phones and engrossed in their conversations. I saw an empty bench facing the Upham Arch looking solemnly across the large manicured lawn. It reminds me of an empty pew in an old church. I find it ironic that the Bishop Woods sit behind this pew.
I am writing to express my concern about the March 17th article, "Breaking open La Piñata: Mexican restaurant a hit in Oxford" by Juanita Gonzalez Valencia. The article praises La Piñata and its employee, Giovani Febus Rodriguez for the delicious food and warm atmosphere. However, the strongest message I got from the article was not about the restaurant, but about the writer's and editor's casual racism and gross lack of thought. In the first sentence of the article, Gonzalez Valencia stating that 'many' people describe Rodriguez as "the friendliest Mexican in town."
In response to the letter by Anna Lucia Feldman, I feel compelled to point out, as the story itself did, that Giovani Febus Rodriguez is actually Mexican. Just because the writer referred to him as "Mexican," does not mean it's racist. It's not like he's from Venezuela and we called him Mexican. He's actually from Mexico.
Without a doubt Miami University's classes are taught by some of the most brilliant minds in the country. However, when you go to sites such as www.ratemyprofessor.com, all too often the site is flooded with comments from students who feel that their professors are brilliant and great people, but the professor hindered their student's experience due to a lack of knowledge about education. As a senior in The College of Education, Health, and Society, we are taught and given many chances to experience that in order to get students to really learn and be able to think critically about information, it takes more than just a "professor" of knowledge and a student to sit there and soak it all up.
Trees of Miami, beautiful trees,
When reading Greta Hallberg's recent opinion piece, titled "Gender roles should not be up for partisan debate," I had two reactions. I was happy that a student was so moved by something she had learned in class, but I was befuddled by the conclusions she drew. I, like Ms. Hallberg, was disturbed that "only 60 percent of the population agreed" that "women should have an equal role as men in society," according to a 2008 survey. I subsequently learned that the results were a bit more complex, as respondents weren't asked to simply agree or disagree with the statement; they placed themselves on a scale of agreement. According to the survey website, Democrats and Republicans seemed just about as likely to lean toward gender equality, although those who deemed themselves to be "liberal" were more likely than those who labeled themselves as "conservative" to do so.
This winter, students across the country celebrated Black History Month. They've read books by black authors, wrote research papers on civil rights activists, memorized Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech, or watched videos about the Underground Railroad. And if they are taught honestly, as they learn about the struggle of the past, they'll begin to recognize it in their own present - when a cashier squints suspiciously when they walk into a store, when they turn on the news and see another person who looks like them lose his life to senseless violence. These lessons are anything but history.
The recent opinion piece written by Brett Milam for The Miami Student regarding the feminist movement's battle against campus rape presents a few important critiques; however, the article expresses several dangerous opinions and makes misguided generalizations about the feminist movement and feminist efforts on this campus.
I have been following the articles about the situation of adjunct professors, and am amazed, as I assume most people are, about the extremely low compensation that these individuals receive.
I am writing this letter to help clarify any misunderstandings that might have occurred regarding the changes being planned for Bishop Woods. The objective of the Bishop Woods plan, as outlined by Vincent Cirrito, who is Miami's landscape architect, is to "continue the transition of this woode-lot into a distinct landscape in the center of campus life that welcomes students, allows connections with nature, is safe throughout the day and season, educationally inspiring and a place to reflect while protecting the native species of trees, plants, birds and animals that call Bishop Woods home."
The natural areas of Miami University serve as one of our most important educational assets. As graduate students and instructors of Field Botany, we wish to expand on some key points made in a recent letter contributed by Dr. David Gorchov.
A recent piece written by Emily Tate focused on the unfair dangers to men presented by the new rules on drunken sex. But the affirmative consent standard does not create unreasonable dangers for men; rather, they help eliminate unreasonable burdens that victims of sexual assault have faced for generations.
Miami University has received a lot of press lately; some laudable and some lamentable.