Letters to the Editor
Campus Times
October 24, 1997
Dear Editor,
This is in response to those students who wrote a letter to the editor
about how "U100 classes are mostly pointless" and how the papers
assigned to the students were "just busy work" ["Letters
to the Editor," Oct. 17].
I have been an OWL (Orientation Week Leader) for 1996 and 1997 and an
OWL co-coordinator for 1997. From my experience with orientation and University
100, you cannot tell me that U100 is pointless at all. New students here
at ULV are fortunate to have University 100, a program that is designed
to make their transition into college a good one.
U100 is an open forum where freshmen can express their views on topics
that deal with their new college life. Some students are shy or not as open
as their fellow classmates, so they get to express their feelings on paper
through journals. Surprisingly, many students are more open and honest in
their journals then they are in class. As a student myself, I understand
all the homework that is assigned, but it only takes 10-15 minutes to write
a journal for U100 classes.
I hope individuals who think U100 is "mostly pointless" now
understand the importance of U100 classes. I think a majority of students
will say U100 has helped their transition into college easier. There is
a purpose for University 100, otherwise, why would 20 OWLs (including myself)
and two co-facilitators invest so much of their time into something they
thought was pointless?
Melissa Ann Negrete
Junior
Dear Editor,
I am taking the time to write to the Campus Times because the
paper has printed a story about one of the problems I was experiencing at
the University ["Student alleges bias
over major," Oct. 17] and I want to try to clarify a few things.
I was a bit shocked when Angelica Martinez, a reporter for the newspaper,
approached my sister because she wanted an interview from me regarding the
situation with my major. That was when I felt the issue of my privacy was
no longer an issue, since other people knew about the matter. I also decided
to meet with her because I try to help my peers in any way I can and college
is a learning environment. Before she was able to be in contact with me,
the University had finally resolved the issue dealing with my major. There
will be some people who may be unhappy with the article, but I have learned
that one can't please everyone, no matter how hard one tries. I also want
to express that I am not angry or upset with anyone in particular at the
University for the problem I faced because it was not a daily occurrence
at the University, so the directors did not know how to go about resolving
it.
I would like to thank everyone, once again, who has helped me out in
any way throughout my two years-and some-at ULV. At the top of that list
is Dr. Cook, who endured listening and speaking to me on several occasions
about the problems I was facing-and sometimes still am. That list also includes
Art Stenmo, Patti Noreen, Peggy Redman -- who set me in the right direction
and advised me to speak with Dr. Gingrich -- Dr. Gingrich, my friends, my
former and present professors, directors, Lynn Stanton-Riggs, secretaries,
librarians, people in maintenance, student workers, the student body, Dr.
Labinger, and last but not least, Isabel, my sister. I have tolerated a
lot since I have been a student at the University, but I have learned from
these experiences.
When I applied to the University, a few directors mentioned to me that
the University caters to everyone's individual needs, so I thought that
this also applied to me.
Learning about the difficulties of disabled people wasn't new to me
because I have spent a lot of time in the hospitals with family members
and friends with different medical issues. During the process of rehabilitation,
I was also taught that I was going to be discriminated against, but I did
have certain legal rights that would help me achieve my goals.
I have made mistakes academically and have paid for them-it's part of
the learning experience and life. I also don't see why some of these mistakes
had to effect my career and life goals because of my disability. To some
of you, this may sound like I am complaining. Until you experience something
similar to what I have lived through, don't judge me. I don't know what
each one of you would have done if you were in my place. There have been
a couple of people who have said that I "won" my case after hearing
about the decision, however, I don't see it like that at all. This was not,
and should not have been, a win or lose situation. How did I win having
the University grant me a major in Spanish, when I had the right to be able
to complete it in the first place? Since the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
was passed and there are a number of people with disabilities with high
ranking careers, the time has come to have the University continue to make
changes and contribute to make the future more prosperous for everyone.
Throughout my life, I have wanted to keep certain matters private, but
in one way or another, parts of them have become public. I don't mind sharing
my experiences with others. It is when actual accounts of the stories get
entangled with fictitious details as people spread them around that bothers
me. People get their own interpretations of the stories and pass them on
as truth. Both my sister and I have been confronted by people who have heard
stories about the accident we were in. They don't always have the story
straight. Rumors and gossip are a big problem in our society. I was in a
car accident and suffered a spinal cord injury. Yes, I was wearing a seat
belt and no, I wasn't driving. Those are answers to the two most common
questions I encounter after people learn how I was injured. You can become
my friend and ask questions-but I first have to get to know you to answer
all of them.
Adriana Salcedo
Junior
Editor's Note: Due to the sensitive nature and subject matter of
the story, the length of the preceding letter was extended from the maximum
250-word length.
Dear Editor,
Regarding the article in last week's Campus Times entitled "Student alleges bias over major" [Oct.
17], I must take issue, not only with the tone of the article, but with
the innuendoes contained therein. As a member of the handicapped community
myself, I try to avoid the "victim" mentality that seems to overtake
many people when they are faced with physical challenges. The fact is that
life is not fair, and it is not up to other people, or institutions, to
make it fair. The responsibility lies with the person with special needs
as much as the institution to be willing to work with those who are in place
to help him or her. In dealing with other professors and with the office
of Learning Enhancement Services, I have never had less than excellent service
from the ULV community. We are all willing to go out of our way to help
students with special challenges, but those students need to be willing
to work within the choices they are offered. For instance, if I wanted to
participate in the Los Angeles marathon, should I expect them to bend their
rules because I can't run? No, of course not. I would enroll in the special
programs designed for handicapped people. I would not blame the institution
for being unresponsive. I question whether this article fairly presented
all the facts. We must all take responsibility for making our own successes
and refraining from blaming other people is a good start.
Dr. Janis Dietz
Assistant Professor of Business Administration
