Stronger coverage
As the tragic events involving the suicide of Ki-Seong Kim and attempted murder of his significant other unfolded, I have found myself increasingly bothered by the way this newspaper chose to cover this horrible tragedy. I understand the fragile and intricate nature of a story like this, but I feel that The Hatchet lacked a certain element of intestinal fortitude in reporting the real facts. The truth is, this unfortunate young man, before turning his weapon on himself, sought to end the life of another in a cold and calculated manner. A crime of passion maybe, but the young lady received a potentially fatal wound to the forehead from Ki Seong Kim’s semi-automatic pistol. Using his membership in various Bible organizations, his love for golf and baseball and his valiant Christianity, the articles portrayed Kim more as a romantic martyr or a sympathy deserving victim than the disturbed criminal perpetrator he was. I do not doubt the fact that Ki-Seong Kim was a well-liked, charismatic, energetic, life-loving and God-fearing human being, but that cannot take away from the abhorrent fact that this young man sought to take life away from another in a most disturbing and violent manner.

I am only affected by this tragedy as a conscientious humanitarian and a reader of this newspaper. I don’t know anyone from either party involved, so perhaps I should sit quiet and hold my peace but I cannot. I just found myself deeply bothered by the cruel and selfish injustice executed by Ki-Seong Kim on two innocent human beings – the young lady from University of Maryland and himself. If any good should arise from this tragedy perhaps it will be that all students, professors, friends, lovers, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers affected by this event will reach out to someone in need. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ki-Seong Kim, his family, friends and the friends and family of the young lady from the University of Maryland.

Finally, I charge The Hatchet, its staff and writers, to report the facts without bias from both sides, ensuring that justice is served. I am sure that this letter will anger people and I might be thought of as insensitive, but I refuse to sit idly and let such an aggravation prey on my conscience.
-Gary Bullard, senior

Paid for but not received
I appreciate The Hatchet editorial’s sharp criticism (“Squeezing academics,” April 24, p. 4) of GW’s new academic calendar proposal. GW’s academic calendar plan does appear to be motivated mainly by financial concerns, not educational ones. Charles Karelis, chair of the Alternative Academic Calendar Committee, cautions in his response (“Not simply downsizing,” April 28, p. 4) that students should study the findings first, when released, before passing judgement. While this is prudent, the rest of his response suggests both the faulty logic and driving financial concerns underlying the plan.

Karelis claims a four-by-four schedule that does not provide extra class time could, in fact, offer more educational opportunities to students. He says that “less instruction time in class” does not mean “less instruction time” because professors would be more available and attentive to students. However, given the high tuition that students already pay, shouldn’t students expect professors to be available and attentive anyway? Isn’t availability of instructors part of what a student pays for in a three-credit course at GW? If the answer to these questions is yes, then Karelis’s reason for the four by four system (his main point) amounts to nothing more than “less for more.” The bottom line is this: students could lose as many as eight college classes, nearly a full academic year of school. These classes would be paid for but not received.
-Jeffrey Hotz, graduate student

Addressing technology
In light of problems last weekend with the housing selection software, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as the new director of technology for the Student Association for the upcoming year. This is a newly created position, which will help to address student technology concerns on campus.

As part of my role, I am establishing monthly meetings with members of GW’s technology organizations, administrators, faculty and students to address concerns as they arise. The meetings will begin in September and I encourage all students to attend. I have made the initial contact with members of Information Systems and Services and Student and Academic Support Services, and the feedback is positive. I look forward to working together to meet the growing technology needs of students on our campus.
-J. David Grossman, sophomore