Thursday, October 9, 1997
Thumbs up/thumbs down
THUMBS:
Ability is what matters
Thumbs down to the Spanish department at the University of
Florida for asking a student to leave a class designed for "native
or near-native" Spanish speakers. The student contends that he was
asked to drop the course because he is not Latin. Department
officials say "native or near native" does not mean Latin; it means
having learned the language conversationally, in a Spanish-speaking
country. The student says he is qualified for the class.
Thumbs down to a questionnaire handed out to students, in which
they are asked to describe their cultural background. Admission to
the class should be based solely on ability.
No exceptions
Thumbs down to the Stanford Daily’s decision to fire columnist
Jesse Oxfeld for refusing to delete references to Chelsea Clinton
in his column. Oxfeld feels she should not be treated differently
from other students. However, Editor in Chief Carolyn Sleeth says
he was fired for various other reasons. She also adds that Oxfeld
was given the opportunity to talk about the hoopla surrounding
Chelsea’s arrival, but he chose not to take it when it was
newsworthy and timely.
They really do deserve it
Thumbs up to the UC Board of Regents for approving salary raises
for faculty and staff, which will take effect Nov. 1. Funds are
also being set aside for bonuses. If anyone deserves more pay, it’s
teachers.
Pay for your own mistakes
Thumbs down to Parking Services. Some students claim annual
parking prices were listed as $468. But the department later
realized it made a mistake – prices should have read $486. Some
permits were held until people paid, and refunds were not given.
Others who paid by credit card were charged the extra fee. Students
should not have to pay for the service’s mistakes.
Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down represents a majority opinion of the Daily
Bruin Editorial Board. Send topic ideas or suggestions to
[email protected].