Drainpipe damage should change students’ minds

That’s what the front page article in Tuesday’s paper should have been titled. I understand that when students voted last month to reject the fee increase they didn’t quite understand the necessity of a new student center. But when a major pipeline busts because of “a cloth which fell down an old brittle pipe,” students should realize that Talley is old. Instead of complaining about one less greasy dining option, they should focus their attention to understanding why the administration passed the fee — because it actually understands the need. Maybe it shouldn’t have gone over students’ heads after a vote, but nonetheless, we need a new building. I was most disappointed concerning Technician’s lack of response to this. There are students that supported the fee, and instead of accusing University Dining of not planning for a renovation — not offering additional options when Talley is eventually closed — the newspaper should have reported the other side.

Yes, Wolves’ Den was closed last week but only for two days. The concern is not whether or not Wolves’ Den was open, but that old buildings like Talley are going to have plumbing problems unless remodeled.

Nancy Warren

junior, psychology

Vulgar speech in the tunnel is an attack on all women

Last week, we received several pictures via e-mail of offensive, sexist and hateful attacks on UNC-CH women taken in the Free Expression Tunnel. The content of the photos is too misogynistic to reprint here. The tunnel writings target UNC women, but in the process reveal a disturbing mindset that attacks all women. Here are the thoughts of one individual who wrote to us expressing his concern:

“HUNDREDS of students are being exposed to and getting a message that this is OK behavior. Why would someone write this versus positive things about N.C. State football? Why wouldn’t someone cover it up during the roast and say that’s not acceptable as a Wolfpack family? Why isn’t it repainted over by other students yet? We don’t tolerate racial hatred on this campus but we DO tolerate a lot of sexism. Until we address that and take a stand, we will always be writing letters and having discussion about ‘isolated’ incidents.”

Make no mistake; attacks on women are attacks on members of our campus community. Denigration of women creates an unpleasant and unsafe environment at the University. We do not tolerate expressions of hate. We as a community must build an environment of respect. The purpose for the Free Expression Tunnel is to provide a place for graffiti without interference, not to create a hostile environment. Exactly a year ago the Student Senate adopted the Free Expression Tunnel Response Act. This act condemned the actions of individuals writing hate speech in the tunnel in another context, saying, “We reject and condemn the actions of these four students as they directly contradict the values of the University and do not represent the view of the student body.” Let us remember the 2008 Free Expression Tunnel incident and use it as a turning point by refusing to accept any kind of hate speech from this time forward.

Marcia Gumpertz

assistant vice provost for faculty and staff diversity

Deplorable behavior Saturday at the game

I was appalled by fans’ behavior Saturday; “fans” had the disgrace to “boo” a player walking off the field after being injured and had the audacity to throw dangerous objects at the band two years ago. Some people thought it would be fun to throw broken glass at the UNC-CH band. In no other stadium does the band have to have security escorts. However, I was pleasantly surprised this year that there was a large decrease in heckling, but it’s not enough. I couldn’t care who won or lost. But the high number of homophobic comments that I heard and saw on online posts angered me. How is it possible, in this day in age, that anyone can be alright with calling a stranger a “fag”? I’ve been to almost every ACC stadium, and been to every Duke versus UNC basketball game and it’s nothing compared to how State fans treat others. Many other schools have said that NCSU has treated their visitors just as badly. And it’s not just students — it’s a large proportion of your fan base. If you want to laugh that our football team lost: go ahead, it’s the nature of sports. But don’t think it is alright to terrorize people by using hateful language such as what I have seen. It is uncouth and unnecessary, in any and all situations. Have some pride, and treat people with respect, just as I’m sure you’d be quite offended if you were called a “f-ing fag.” And yes, as a woman, I take offense to reading that our football team is a “bunch of ‘pussies.'” Can you not come up with anything more creative? Don’t make that many more people think that NCSU is only attended by those who would condone such ridiculous, immature and downright deplorable behavior.

Abby James

class of 2011, UNC-CH