Letters To The Editor

HIGHER EDUCATION

Campus residence cost not exorbitant

Two recent letters to the editor have erroneously stated that the cost of a residence hall room at Washington State University is $500 per month. This $500 cost is for both room and board. In addition, the cost is variable, depending upon the dining level one chooses; the $500 charge mentioned assumes the highest level meal plan option. You will also find, in reviewing on-campus living costs, that all of the state universities are quite comparable.

Certainly, one can save money by living at home and many can and will choose this option. However, it should be noted that WSU freshmen (probably EWU freshmen, as well) who live in the residence halls report statistically significant gains in their intellectual, personal and social skill development, as well as achieving greater overall college satisfaction, in comparison to students who live off campus.

At the least, consider the many hours saved by avoiding commuting, shopping for and preparing meals (off campus students in Pullman report that they spend nine hours a week on this task alone) and the advantages of being close to university facilities.

Finally, when all the costs of living off campus are included, housing, meals cooked at home and meals eaten out, phone, utilities, damage deposits, cable TV, data network connection charges, etc., the resulting comparison between living on or off campus is very similar. The length of an off-campus lease is significant in determining the cost comparison; if an off-campus landlord requires a 12-month lease and you don’t need it for the entire period, living on campus is a considerably less expensive option. Bob Tattershall, assistant director WSU housing services, Pullman

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Face it, exclusivity happens

Being a former APPLE student myself, I know that all it takes to get into the program is dedication and hard work. There are no qualifications, no exclusions based on the applicant’s income or social status.

A group of parents and teachers can start a program of their own whenever they want, with their own rules on how kids are chosen. Anyone with parents willing to give their time has an equal chance of being accepted.

There are many things in life that people can’t always get into. There are universities, fraternities, sororities, high school and college courses, to name a few.

Should we weed-whack the Ivy League? Should we ban anything and everything that has a chance of turning someone down? No. Society accepts these chances as a way of life.

I also find it ironic that Rebecca Heacox plans to send her child to a private school next year. Does she plan to pay for Michelle’s entire class to go to the same private school, so they are not deprived of the same advantages she is giving her child?

I can name myriad clubs and groups that not everyone can join, but I don’t complain about it. That’s just the way life is sometimes. Taylor C. Marr, Age 15 Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Radical feminist? What nonsense

Reading Lee Gobroski’s letter to the editor (June 17) left me feeling breathless - punched in the stomach breathless. His overreaction to Jamie Tobias Neely’s rather harmless editorial obviously has it’s roots in fear of some perceived threat from women. This fear is echoed in Donna Blastin’s June 22 letter.

She calls Neely a raving liberal and a radical. In fact, Opinion editor John Webster and editorial writer D.F. Oliveria lean much more radically to the right than Neely leans to the left.

Her view on Promise Keepers, abortion and a woman’s place in history is mainstream for a majority of people in this country - and the world.

However, my purpose here is to thank the kind of people who write this kind of venomous diatribe. Those of us who live among men we like and admire sometimes become complacent. We forget there is now and always will be people who use “unchaste” and “prostitute” to describe women who speak their mind.

Current Republican leadership tactics serve the same purpose. We who know women are human beings entitled to the same rights, respect and responsibilities as men owe a great deal to these people. Complacency prevents growth. You keep us from that mistake.

I’m well aware this is not your intent, but nevertheless, you have my gratitude.

Keep attending NOW rallies. We need you. Your extreme views bring others to our side. Sharon McFarland Spokane

Teacher’s advice right on target

Teacher Mary Robinette’s advice to graduating students (Letters, June 11) hits the bull’s-eye. From my own experiences and from observing others since I graduated from high school more than 50 years ago, I can attest to the validity of every aspect of this advice.

Several additional thoughts come to mind. To hit a target, you must know how to use a bow and you will never achieve without practice. Some of us are gifted and accomplish objectives fairly quickly with seeming ease. Others must gain whatever skills are needed with outside help. Even when the bull’s-eye is hit with some regularity, constant effort is required to maintain the achievement.

When the archer has the skills and hits the bull’s-eye, either the target is moved to a more distant point or you shoot at a smaller bull’s-eye.

In life, as you achieve an objective, you will either accept that you have reached your goal or you will seek a more responsible position with greater rewards.

Either of these is completely acceptable, and don’t let anyone tell you differently. Most of us find our comfort zone at some point in our career, even though we might play what-if games the rest of our lives. However, recognize that the only constant you face is change.

Students who have had Robinette as part of their preparation for life have been very, very fortunate. William H. Allison Medical Lake

Homophobes could do some good

I applaud The Spokesman-Review’s series, “City of Second Chances.” People of middle class background benefit from understanding this other hidden world, as it exists and flourishes, despite our ignorance. The Friday sequel on sex offenders brought one question to mind.

Nationally, regionally, persistently, leaders of church and state blast away at individuals with same-sex orientation. Meanwhile, the cycle of sexual crime plays out, notably heterosexual in nature.

My question: If we were to redirect our energy, dollars, wood pulp, microchips and votes to address this horribly sad and frightening sexual criminality, would our world become safer and healthier?

Sex ties both issues. Heinous trespass does not. Rose Ann Bachman Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Give us the good news, up front

Re: “In the Heart of Bovill” (June 21)

After all the tragedies and trash that are reported day after day in the paper, I have reached the point where I barely skim through the paper. I can rarely bring myself to read more than a story or two of all that distressing and horrible news. I’ve even thought of stopping my subscription, because it is so depressing to read day after day of the murders, rapes, suicides, politicians seduced by power, money or sex, and international massacres, famines and economic and climatic disasters. So much suffering and woe, local, national and international, is forced upon us every day.

Thank you for your uplifting story of people caring for people and making a space for them in their busy lives. It really touched me.

Please, make an effort to do at least one such piece every day and don’t hide it. Put it right up there on the front page with the worst of the news. Give us a choice. I’ll bet many of us would opt for the good news story every day. Jan A. Slama Spokane

A clean, fun pitch - and Clark misses

Re: “Lind harvests bumper crop of looniness” by Doug Clark (June 14). Again, columnist Clark shows his ability to strike out on an issue.

Come on, Clark, what farmer would crash “perfectly good farm equipment” that costs $100,000 to $150,000? Those are obsolete pieces of equipment rescued from the junk heap, used year after year in the derby.

Also, if you should venture this way again, try sitting in another area. No “alcohol-glazed” people sat in my area. There were families there, kids and oldies.

As for the cloggers, what a wonderful showcase for these talented kids who aren’t out shooting each other.

If you want to call us loonies, look around at all the sports arenas and see real loonies. I’ll take the combine derby any day. Gloria Sackmann Lind, Wash.