Access restricted
The new Trustees’ Gate next to Gelman Library may look pretty, but it comes at the expense of disabled access. During construction, a stone wall was built blocking one of the two access ramps to the library. The remaining ramp is at the opposite end from the library doors and most of the campus.
What’s more, that ramp has a handrail that is in reality a bicycle rack, making it useless for those who need to hold on to something while walking downhill.
Trustees’ Gate still could have been built without removing one of the ramps, and an inexpensive bicycle rack would take care of the handrail problems. But that would take some thinking. Disabled access is just not a high priority on campus.
-Kevin Davisgraduate student
Greek responsibility
I recently read your staff editorial “Costly Party” (July 13, p. 4) on gwhatchet.com. I was in London for the summer and was one of those people hungry for GW news.
I just wanted to thank you for the editorial. I am in a sorority and all too often, the Greek-letter community gets unfairly stereotyped, especially by the campus press.
However, your editorial is absolutely correct in saying we must follow IFC, Panhellenic Council and University regulations if these stereotypes are to be combated. I could not agree with you more that when an individual fraternity or sorority violates policy, it hurts all Greeks’ reputations. The incident with Sigma Chi is unfortunate, but hopefully all of us in Greek-letter organizations will learn from their mistakes and continue to work for the respect sororities and fraternities deserve.
Again, thank you.
-Caity Leujunior
Stop picking on Greeks
In response to the July 13 staff editorial entitled “Costly Party” (p. 4), I offer the following comments: Greek organizations are stereotyped, and “the best way to combat the stereotypes that plague the entire Greek-letter system is to behave according to the rules established by the University and the Interfraternity Council,” as the editorial stated.
However, I believe Greek-letter organizations should be judged independently of each other. What of the University “newspaper system”? Did The Hatchet suffer as a result of the Black Peoples’ Union’s outrage over an issue of Protest THIS? Certainly not.
Why should other Greek-letter organizations be scolded on The Hatchet’s editorial page for the actions of a fraternity over which we have little, if any, real control?
I am tired of the negativity with which all fraternities are viewed based on the actions of the few, and the lack of recognition for positive aspects of Greek life at GW.
-Edward Valiosophomore
Monopoly game
Last year at this time, when I knew my daughter would be attending GW, I visited sporting goods stores here in the Dallas, Texas, area to purchase T-shirts and other paraphernalia that advertise my daughter’s school. Even the larger chain stores could not obtain GW items and most had never heard of the University.
At Colonial Inauguration, I raised the problem of the GW Bookstore’s monopoly with some students and school officials who were leading the orientation. And, when I visited my daughter at GW, I asked several of her friends why so few students wear GW apparel. The response overwhelmingly was that GW goods are too expensive.
Perhaps the GW Bookstore’s monopoly on GW logo items is legal, I really don’t know. But is it ethical? And most important, is it in the best interest of the University?
Texans are familiar with Georgetown, Howard and American universities – other competitive schools in D.C. Countless other colleges across the country also are known in Texas, in part because they all have school logo sportswear sold in Texas stores and worn by Texans. These items, with the school names quite visible, generally are more reasonably priced than similar items at GW. The schools mentioned above receive more applications from Texans than GW.
Does GW plan to keep the University a secret from the rest of the country or will the Student Association insist that free enterprise rule?
-Lori-Ann Bernathparent
